2,4-disubstituted thiazolyl derivatives

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns the use of a compound of formula (I′) 
                         
a N-oxide, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, quaternary amine and stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein Q is optionally substituted C 3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl; or Q is a radical of formula
 
                         
wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR 3 , CH 2  or S, with R 3  being hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl; q is 1 to 4; Z is O or NR 4  with R 4  being hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl; r is 1 to 3; L is optionally substituted phenyl or L is Het with Het being an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring or an optionally substituted bicyclic heterocyclic ring; for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT/EP01/01841 filed Feb. 20, 2001, which claims priority from EP 00.200.733.4, filed Mar. 1, 2000.

The present invention is concerned with 2,4-disubstituted thiazolyl derivatives having proinflammatory cytokine production inhibiting properties and adenosine A₃ receptor blocking properties. The invention further relates to methods for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. The invention also relates to the use of 2,4-disubstituted thiazolyl derivatives for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of warm-blooded animals suffering from diseases mediated through cytokines or diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor.

-   JP 41020220 describes 2-(2-substituted-4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole     derivatives as anthelmintics and insecticides. -   J. Prakt. Chem., 1976, 318(5), 875–877 describes the synthesis of     pyridyl thiazoles. -   J. Indian. Chem. Soc., 1974, 51(5), 566–568 describes the synthesis     and anti-inflammatory activity of some     2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)benzothiazoles. -   Fresenius'Z. Anal. Chem., 1977, 288(4), 285 describes the TLC     separation of some 2- and 6-[2-amino(and substituted     amino)-4-thiazolyl]benzothiazoles. -   Indian J. Chem., 1978, 16B(5), 402–404 describes the synthesis and     analgesic, anti-inflammatory activity of     4-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)isothiazoles. -   WO 97/03073 describes the preparation of thiazolyl triazolothiazoles     as anti-ulcer agents and gastric acid secretion inhibitors. -   Indian J. Chem., 1979, 17B(5), 519–521 describes the synthesis of     2-amino-6-benzothiazolyl-2-arylaminothiazoles. -   Indian J. Chem., 1987, 26B(9), 856–860 describes the synthesis and     antituberculosis activity of 2-pyrazinyl-2-arylaminothiazoles. -   WO 92/16527 describes the synthesis of     6-methyl-2-pyridyl-2-arylaminothiazoles as agrochemical and     horticultural fungicides. -   J. Heterocycl. Chem., 1970, 7(5), 1137–1141 describes the synthesis     of pyridyl substituted 2-aminothiazoles. -   DE 3406329 describes the synthesis of     2-pyridinon-2-arylaminothiazole derivatives as inotropic agents. -   J. Chem. Res., Synop., 1998, 12, 742–743, 3329–3347 describes     2-arylamino thiazole derivatives as intermediates to synthesize     5-arylazothiazoles. -   Synth. Commun., 1998, 28(13), 2371–2378 describes the synthesis of     4-(2-furyl)-2-substituted thiazoles utilizing     [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene. -   Curr. Sci., 1970, 39(18), 417 describes the synthesis of     4-(2′-thienyl) and 4-(2′-furyl)-thiazoles. -   DE 4029771 describes the synthesis of N-heteroaryl-2-nitroanilines     as pesticides. -   WO 99/32466 describes the preparation of substituted     benzenesulfonamide derivatives as antagonists of the neuropeptide     NPY receptor subtype Y5. -   Egypt. J. Chem., 1983, 25(2), 187–189 describes the synthesis of     sulfamylanilino substituted thiazoles showing bactericidal and     fungicidal activity. -   Am. Khim. Zh., 1989, 42(10), 657–659 describes the synthesis of     8-lactones with heterocyclic substituents. -   Indian J. Chem., Sect. B, 1984, 23B(4), 390–392 describes the     synthesis of thiazolylchromones as potential central nervous system     agents. -   Biol. Zh. Am., 1989, 42(9–10), 956–959 describes the synthesis and     activity of unsaturated γ-lactones with thiazole fragments on the     growth and development of vegetable crops. -   WO 99/21555 relates to pyridyl substituted thiazolyl compounds     having adenosine A₃ receptor antagonistic activity. -   WO 99/64418 concerns aryl pyridinyl thiazoles exhibiting inhibition     of the human adenosine A₃ receptor activation and of tumor necrosis     factor alpha production.

The compounds of the present invention are distinguishable from the prior art because of their structure, pharmacological activity or potency.

The present invention relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

-   Q is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,     pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl,     indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being     substituted with up to three substituents each independently     selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl;     C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio;     C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy;     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy;     polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—;     or -   Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3;

-   n is an integer with value 1 or 2;

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

-   -   with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N—         with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and         -   R^(2a) being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

-   L is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents each     independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano,     carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl     substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,     C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—; or

-   L is Het;

-   Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered     heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and     containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being     selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and         containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being         selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2         carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom         with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated,         partially unsaturated or saturated;     -   (iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at         least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2         nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another         optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be         unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic         ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each         independently being selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be         substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a         bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6         substituents, said substituents each independently being         selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with         hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—;

-   aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents     each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino,     mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.

The present invention also relates to a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

-   Q is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,     pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl,     indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being     substituted with up to three substituents each independently     selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl;     C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio;     C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy;     polyhaloC,alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;     C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—;     or -   Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being         -   hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3;

-   n is an integer with value 1 or 2;

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

-   -   with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N—         with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and         -   R^(2a) being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

-   L is 3-halophenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3     substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy,     amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl,     C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono-     or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,     C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—; or

-   L is Het;

-   Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered     heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and     containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being     selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and         containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being         selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2         carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom         with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring,         which, contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated,         partially unsaturated or saturated;     -   (iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at         least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2         nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another         optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be         unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic         ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each         independently being selected where possible from N,S or O;     -   wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be         substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a         bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6         substituents, said substituents each independently being         selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with         hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—;

-   aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents     each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino,     mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.     provided that

-   Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyridyl,     benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazinonyl;

-   when Q is phenyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy and     carboxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl then Het is other than 3-pyridyl or     4-pyridyl;

-   when Q is phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-furanyl,     5-bromo-2-benzofuranyl,     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl, 2-benzofuranyl,     5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl, 2-benzimidazolyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl,     6-methyl-thiazolo [3,2-b] [1,2,4]triazol-5-yl, 2,6-dimethyl-thiazolo     [3,2-b] [1,2,4]triazol-5-yl or     5,6-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

-   when Q is 2-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl,     2-benzofuranyl or 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl,     2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl,     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl,     1,2-dihydro-6-ethyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl,     4-(dimethylamino)-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5pyridyl,     1,2-dihydro-4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl or     3-amino-6-methyl-2(1H)-5-pyridinonyl;

-   when Q is 2-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl,     5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl, or 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl,     2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridyl,     4-pyridyl or 5,6-dihydro4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

-   when Q is 3-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl,     3-pyridyl or 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl;

-   when Q is 3-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl or     3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2,3-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2-ethoxy-phenyl or 3-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than     2-pyrazinyl;

-   when Q is 4-bromo-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or     5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl;

-   when Q is 4-fluoro-phenyl then Het is other than 4-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 1-naphthyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl,     2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl, 2-pyrazinyl or     5,6-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

-   when Q is 4-ethoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

-   when Q is 2-naphthyl, 2-carboxy-phenyl, 3-carboxy-phenyl,     4-carboxy-phenyl, 4-amino-phenyl or     3-chloro-2,6-dinitro4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl then Het is other than     2-thienyl;

-   when Q is 4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 2-furanyl, or     1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-2,4-dioxo-5-pyrimidinyl;

-   when Q is N-methyl4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than     3-thienyl;

-   when Q is N-butyl4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than     2-furanyl;

-   when Q is 2-pyridyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

-   when Q is 3-pyridyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl,     4-pyridyl or 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2,4-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl, or     4-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-pyridyl then Het is other than 3-quinolinyl or     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl,     4-methylthiophenyl, or 4-methylsulfinylphenyl then Het is other than     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl.

The L or Q radical as described above for the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) may be attached to the remainder of the molecule of formula (I) or (I′) through any ring carbon or heteroatom as appropriate. For example, when Q is pyridyl, it may be 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl.

Lines drawn into ring systems indicate that the bond may be attached to any suitable ring atom. When the ring system is a bicyclic ring system, the bond may be attached to any suitable ring atom of either of the two rings.

As used hereinabove or hereinafter C₁₋₄alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl and the like; C₁₋₆alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as the groups defined for C₁₋₄alkyl and pentyl, hexyl, 2-methylbutyl and the like; C₂₋₆alkenyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having 1 double bond such as ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, 3-methylbutenyl and the like; C₂₋₆alkynyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having 1 triple bond such as ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, 3-methylbutynyl and the like; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl is generic to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

As used herein before, the term (═O) forms a carbonyl moiety when attached to a carbon atom, a sulfoxide moiety when attached to a sulfur atom and a sulfonyl moiety when two of said terms are attached to a sulfur atom.

The term halo is generic to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. As used in the foregoing and hereinafter, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl as a group or part of a group is defined as mono- or polyhalosubstituted C₁₋₆alkyl, in particular methyl with one or more fluoro atoms, for example, difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl. In case more than one halogen atoms are attached to an alkyl group within the definition of polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, they may be the same or different.

When any variable (e.g. R^(2a)) occurs more than one time in any constituent, each definition is independent.

It will be appreciated that some of the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) and their N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms may contain one or more centers of chirality and exist as stereochemically isomeric forms.

The term “stereochemically isomeric forms” as used hereinbefore or hereinafter defines all the possible stereoisomeric forms which the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) and their N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines or physiologically functional derivatives may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of compounds denotes the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms, said mixtures containing all diastereomers and enantiomers of the basic molecular structure as well as each of the individual isomeric forms of formula (I) or (I′) and their N-oxides, salts, solvates, quaternary amines substantially free, i.e. associated with less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, in particular less than 2% and most preferably less than 1% of the other isomers. Stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) are obviously intended to be embraced within the scope of this invention.

For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) are those wherein the counterion is pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and bases which are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptable compound. All salts, whether pharmaceutically acceptable or not are included within the ambit of the present invention.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid and base addition salts as mentioned hereinabove or hereinafter are meant to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxic acid and base addition salt forms which the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) are able to form. The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can conveniently be obtained by treating the base form with such appropriate acid. Appropriate acids comprise, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, for example, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic (i.e. ethanedioic), malonic, succinic (i.e. butanedioic acid), maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, pamoic and the like acids.

Conversely said salt forms can be converted by treatment with an appropriate base into the free base form.

The compounds of formula (I) or (I′) containing an acidic proton may also be converted into their non-toxic metal or amine addition salt forms by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g. primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic and aromatic amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, the four butylamine isomers, dimethylamine, diethylamine, diethanolamine, dipropylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, quinuclidine, pyridine, quinoline and isoquinoline; the benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and the like.

Conversely the salt form can be converted by treatment with acid into the free acid form.

The term addition salt as used hereinabove also comprises the solvates which the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) as well as the salts thereof, are able to form. Such solvates are for example hydrates, alcoholates and the like.

The term “quaternary amine” as used hereinbefore defines the quaternary ammonium salts which the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) are able to form by reaction between a basic nitrogen of a compound of formula (I) or (I′) and an appropriate quaternizing agent, such as, for example, an optionally substituted alkylhalide, arylhalide or arylalkylhalide, e.g. methyliodide or benzyliodide. Other reactants with good leaving groups may also be used, such as alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates, alkyl methanesulfonates, and alkyl p-toluenesulfonates. A quaternary amine has a positively charged nitrogen. Pharmaceutically acceptable counterions include for example chloro, bromo, iodo, trifluoroacetate and acetate. The counterion of choice can be made using ion exchange resin columns.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) may also exist in their tautomeric form. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formula are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

In particular, the radical Het as defined hereinabove may be a radical of formula

with A₁, B₁, C₁, D₁ and E₁, each independently being selected where possible from CH, N, NH, O or S, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 4, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that two double bonds are present;

with A₂, B₂, C₂, D₂, E₂ and F₂, each independently being selected where possible from CH, N, O or S, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 4, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that at least two double bonds are present;

with A₃ and E₃, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₃, C₃ and D₃, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F₃, G₃, H₃ and I₃, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered ring contains two double bonds;

with A₄ and E₄, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₄, C₄ and D₄, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F₄, G₄, and H₄, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C! 6alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered ring consisting of A₄-B₄-C₄-D₄-E₄ contains two double bonds;

with A₅ and F₅, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₅, C₅, D₅ and E₅, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₅, H₅, I₅ and J₅, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that form 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring consisting of A₅-B₅-C₅-D₅-E₅-F₅ contains at least two double bonds;

with A₆ and F₆, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₆, C₆, D₆ and E₆, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₆, H₆ and I₆, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring contains at least two double bonds;

-   -   with A₇ and E₇, each independently being selected where possible         from C, CH or N, and B₇, C₇ and D₇, each independently and where         possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F₇, G₇,         H₇ and I₇, each independently and where possible being selected         from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring         contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one         heteroatom in the five-membered ring and at least one heteroatom         in the remainder, i.e. F₇-G₇-H₇-I₇, of the fused six-membered         ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may         optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano,         carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl         substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,         C₁alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or         di(C₁alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to         a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where         possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered         ring contains two double bonds;     -   with A₈ and E₈, each independently being selected where possible         from C, CH or N, and B₈, C₈, and D₈, each independently and         where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and         F₈, G₈, and H₈, each independently and where possible being         selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic         ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least         one heteroatom in the five-membered ring consisting of         A₈-B₈-C₈-D₈-E₈ and at least one heteroatom in the remainder,         i.e. F₈-G₈-H₈, of the other, fused five-membered ring, and         wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be         substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with         hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to         a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where         possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered         ring consisting of A₈-B₈-C₈-D₈-E₈ contains two double bonds;

with A₉ and F₉, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₉, C₉, D₉ and E₉, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₉, H₉, I₉ and J₉, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one heteroatom in the six-membered ring consisting of A₉-B₉-C₉-D₉-E₉-F₉ and at least one heteroatom in the remainder, i.e. G₉-H₉-I₉-J₉, of the other, fused six-membered ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring consisting of A₉-B₉-C₉-D₉-E₉-F₉ contains at least two double bonds;

with A₁₀ and F₁₀, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₁₀, C₁₀, D₁₀ and E₁₀, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₁₀, H₁₀ and I₁₀, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one heteroatom in the six-membered ring and at least one heteroatom in the remainder, i.e. G₁₀-H₁₀-I₁₀, of the fused five-membered ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring contains at least two double bonds.

More in particular, the radical Het as defined hereinabove may be a monocyclic heterocycle comprising furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, 1-pyridyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyranyl, triazinyl, tetrazolyl, with each monocyclic heterocycle optionally substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(—O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—; or Het may also represent a bicyclic heterocycle comprising benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl, benzoxazinonyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, naphthalenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, naphthiridinyl, benzopyranyl, pyrrolopyridyl, thienopyridyl, furopyridyl, isothiazolopyridyl, thiazolopyridyl, isoxazolopyridyl, oxazolopyridyl, pyrazolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, pyrrolopyrazinyl, thienopyrazinyl, furopyrazinyl, isothiazolopyrazinyl, thiazolopyrazinyl, isoxazolopyrazinyl, oxazolopyrazinyl, pyrazolopyrazinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, pyrrolopyrimidinyl, thienopyrimidinyl, furopyrimidinyl, isothiazolopyrimidinyl, thiazolopyrimidinyl, isoxazolopyrimidinyl, oxazolopyrirnidinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, pyrrolopyridazinyl, thienopyridazinyl, furopyridazinyl, isothiazolopyridazinyl, thiazolopyridazinyl, isoxazolopyridazinyl, oxazolopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridazinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, oxadiazolopyridyl, thiadiazolopyridyl, triazolopyridyl, oxadiazolopyrazinyl, thiadiazolopyrazinyl, triazolopyrazinyl, oxadiazolopyrimidinyl, thiadiazolopyrimidinyl, triazolopyrimidinyl, oxadiazolopyridazinyl, thiadiazolopyridazinyl, triazolopyridazinyl, imidazooxazolyl, imidazothiazolyl, imidazoimidazolyl, isoxazolotriazinyl, isothiazolo-triazinyl, pyrazolotriazinyl, oxazolotriazinyl, thiazolotriazinyl;, imidazotriazinylf, oxadiazolotriazinyl, thiadiazolotriazinyl, triazolotriazinyl, with each bicyclic heterocycle optionally substituted with, where possible, up to 6 substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—.

In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

-   Q is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,     pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl,     indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being     substituted with up to three substituents each independently     selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl;     C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio;     C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy;     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy;     polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—;     or -   Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3;

-   n is an integer with value 1 or 2;

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

-   -   with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N—         with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and         -   R^(2a) being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

-   L is Het;

-   Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered     heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and     containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being     selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and         containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being         selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2         carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom         with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated,         partially unsaturated or saturated;     -   (iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at         least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2         nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another         optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be         unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic         ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each         independently being selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be         substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a         bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6         substituents, said substituents each independently being         selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with         hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—;

-   aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents     each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino,     mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;     provided that Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl,     2-pyridyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazinonyl.

More in particular, the present invention relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

-   Q is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,     pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl,     indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being     substituted with up to three substituents each independently     selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl;     C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio;     C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy;     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy;     polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—;     or -   Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3;

-   n is an integer with value 1 or 2;

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

-   -   with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N—         with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and         -   R^(2a) being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

-   L is Het;

-   Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered     heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and     containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being     selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and         containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being         selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2         carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom         with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated,         partially unsaturated or saturated;     -   (iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at         least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2         nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another         optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be         unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic         ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each         independently being selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be         substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a         bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6         substituents, said substituents each independently being         selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with         hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or         di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—;

-   aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents     each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,     polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino,     mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;     provided that

-   Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyridyl,     benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazinonyl.

-   when Q is phenyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy and     carboxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl then Het is other than 3-pyridyl or     4-pyridyl;

-   when Q is phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-furanyl,     5-bromo-2-benzofuranyl,     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl, 2-benzofuranyl,     5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl, 2-benzimidazolyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl,     6-methyl-thiazolo [3,2-b] [1,2,4]triazol-5-yl, 2,6-dimethyl-thiazolo     [3,2-b] [1,2,4]triazol-5-yl or     5,6-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

-   when Q is 2-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl,     2-benzofuranyl or 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl,     2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl,     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl,     1,2-dihydro-6-ethyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl,     4-(dimethylamino)-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl,     1,2-dihydro-4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl or     3-amino-6-methyl-2(1H)-5-pyridinonyl;

-   when Q is 2-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl,     5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl, or 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl,     2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridyl,     4-pyridyl or 5,6-dihydro4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

-   when Q is 3-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl,     3-pyridyl or 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl;

-   when Q is 3-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl or     3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2,3-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2-ethoxy-phenyl or 3-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than     2-pyrazinyl;

-   when Q is 4-bromo-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or     5-chloro-2-benzimidazolyl;

-   when Q is 4-fluoro-phenyl then Het is other than 4-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 1-naphthyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 3-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl,     2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl, 2-pyrazinyl or     5,6-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

-   when Q is 4-ethoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

-   when Q is 2-naphthyl, 2-carboxy-phenyl, 3-carboxy-phenyl,     4-carboxy-phenyl, 4-amino-phenyl or     3-chloro-2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl then Het is other than     2-thienyl;

-   when Q is 4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 2-furanyl, or     1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-2,4-dioxo-5-pyrimidinyl;

-   when Q is N-methyl-4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than     3-thienyl;

-   when Q is N-butyl-4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than     2-furanyl;

-   when Q is 2-pyridyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

-   when Q is 3-pyridyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl,     4-pyridyl or 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2,4-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl, or     4-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 4-pyridyl then Het is other than 3quinolinyl or     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

-   when Q is 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl,     4-methylthiophenyl, or 4-methylsulfinylphenyl then Het is other than     1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl.

The present invention also relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

-   Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or     pyridazinyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up     to three substituents each independently selected from halo;     hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;     C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl     substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, amino, mono- or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;     C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl;     polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;     C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—;     or -   Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3;

-   n is an integer with value 1 or 2;

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

-   -   with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N—         with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and         -   R^(2a) being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

-   L is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents each     independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, mono or     di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; or

-   L is Het;

-   Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered     heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and     containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being     selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and         containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being         selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2         carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom         with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated,         partially unsaturated or saturated;     -   (iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered         heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at         least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2         nitrogen atoms or I carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another         optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring,         which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first         ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be         unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic         ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each         independently being selected where possible from N, S or O;     -   wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be         substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a         bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6         substituents, said substituents each independently being         selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, mono or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)armino,         C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC, alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

-   aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents     each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,     C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.

An interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is defined as hereinabove provided that Het is other than benzimidazolyl; benzofuranyl; thiazolotriazolyl; quinolinyl; pyrazinyl; dioxopyrimidinyl; pyrimidinyl; pyridazinyl; pyranonyl; thienyl; furanyl; a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic group containing one nitrogen atom such as for example pyridyl.

Also an interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, or Het being a bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, mono or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy.

A further interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is imidazolyl, imidazothiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, furanyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, imidazopyrazinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—.

Still another interesting group includes those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, iridazopyrazinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, amino, or C₁₋₆alkyl.

Yet a further interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is imidazolyl, imidazothiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, imidazopyrazinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—.

Again an interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is as defined hereinabove provided that Het is other than pyrazolyl, benzofuranyl, 2-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, imidazopyridazinyl, indazolyl, pyrazinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl.

Also an interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is as defined hereinabove provided that Het is other than pyrazolyl, benzofuranyl, 2-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, imidazopyridazinyl, indazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, thiazolotriazolyl, quinolinyl, dioxopyrimidinyl, pyranonyl, a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic group containing one nitrogen atom, thienyl, furanyl.

Again an interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is indolyl, 3-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, 3-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, quinolinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, imidazothiazolyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, furanyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, pyrazolopyridyl.

A further interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is indolyl, 3-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, 3-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, imidazothiazolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, pyrazolopyridyl.

Further preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is 3-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, 3-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridyl, imidazothiazolyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, substituted 3- or 4-pyridyl.

Yet further preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is 3-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, 3-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridyl, imidazothiazolyl, 3-pyridyl or pyrrolopyridyl.

Also preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is 3-fluorophenyl or 3,5-difluorophenyl.

Also preferred are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is Het and Het is as described hereinabove provided that the atom(s) adjacent to the atom with which Het is linked to the remainder of the molecule of formula (I) and which does (do) not form part of both rings in case of a bicyclic heterocycle, is (are) other than nitrogen.

Again preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein L is 3-halophenyl.

Also an interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; azido; amino; mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)—; or Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3.

A further interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyridazinyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; amino; mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—; or Q is a radical of formula

-   -   wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³         being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   q is an integer with value 1 to 4;         -   Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;         -   r is an integer with value 1 to 3.

Another interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein Q is 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, naphthalenyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 2,3-dihydro-benzofuranyl, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxinyl, benzthiazolyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl or imidazopyridyl.

Also particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein Q is phenyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, benzthiazolyl or imidazopyridyl, in particular phenyl, each of said rings being optionally substituted with up to three substituents selected from halo, cyano, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy or polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl.

Each of the above-mentioned interesting groups of compounds of formula (I) or (I′) describing a particular definition of L may be combined with each of the above-mentioned interesting groups of compounds of formula (I) or (I′) describing a particular definition of Q.

Preferred compounds are selected from the group consisting of

-   2-thiazolamine,     4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; -   2-thiazolamine,     4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; -   2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-pyridinyl)-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; -   2-thiazolamine, N-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; -   2-thiazolaamine, 4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-(3-methylphenyl); -   2-thiazolamine,     4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-[3-(methylthio)phenyl]; -   2-thiazolaamine, N-(4-chlorophenyl)₄-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; -   2-thiazolamine, N-(3-bromophenyl)-4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; -   2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; -   2-thiazolamine,     N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)₄-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl); -   2-thiazolamine, N-(4-bromophenyl)₄-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; -   2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)₄-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl; -   2-thiazolaamine,     4-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; -   2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)₄-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl; -   2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-pyridinyl)-N-(3-methyl4-fluorophenyl); -   2-thiazolamine,     4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-(3-methyl4-fluorophenyl);     the N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary     amines and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

Also preferred compounds are selected from the group consisting of

-   2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-phenyl; -   2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-methoxyphenyl]; -   2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl];     and -   2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[3-pyridyl];     the N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary     amines and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

In general, the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (II) or formula (III) or by reacting an intermediate of formula (II) and (III), wherein W₁ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro or bromo, with an intermediate of formula (IV) in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or N,N-dimethylformamide.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein L is substituted with amino, said L being represented by NH₂-L₁, and said compounds by formula (I-a), may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (II), wherein Het is substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, said Het being represented by C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH-Het₁, and said intermediate being represented by formula (II-a), with an intermediate of formula (IV) in the presence of a suitable acid, such as for example hydrobromic acid and the like, in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol and the like, and water.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein Q is substituted with amino, said Q being represented by Q₁-NH₂, and said compounds by formula (I-b), may be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (I-b-interm.), wherein Q is substituted with nitro, said Q being represented by Q₁-NO₂, in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g. hydrogen, optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst, e.g. palladium-on-charcoal, and a suitable catalyst poison, e.g. a thiophene solution. A suitable solvent for the above reaction is a reaction-inert solvent, for example, an alcohol, e.g. methanol.

Compounds of formula (I) may be converted into each other following art-known functional group transformation reactions, comprising those described hereinafter.

The compounds of formula (I) may be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a trivalent nitrogen into its N-oxide form. Said N-oxidation reaction may generally be carried out by reacting the starting material of formula (I) with an appropriate organic or inorganic peroxide. Appropriate inorganic peroxides comprise, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g. sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropriate organic peroxides may comprise peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboperoxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarboperoxoic acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e.g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. t.butyl hydro-peroxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alcohols, e.g. ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e.g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein Q is substituted with cyano, said Q being represented by Q₁-CN, and said compounds by formula (I-c), may be converted into a compound of formula (I), wherein Q is substituted with carboxy, said Q being represented by Q₁-COOH, and said compound by formula (I-d), by reaction with a suitable acid, such as concentrated hydrochloric acid, in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. water.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein L is substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, said Het being represented by C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH-Het₁, and said compounds being represented by formula (I-e), may be converted into a compound of formula (I-a), by reaction with a suitable acid, such as for example hydrobromic acid and the like, in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as water.

In the following paragraphs, there are described several methods of preparing the intermediates in the foregoing preparations. A number of intermediates and starting materials are commercially available or are known compounds which may be prepared according to conventional reaction procedures generally known in the art.

Intermediates of formula (II) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with a suitable leaving group introducing agent of formula (VI), wherein W₁ represents the leaving group and R represents the remaining of the agent, such as for example W₁-R representing Br₂, in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as a HBr solution, dioxane, acetic acid and the like.

Alternatively, intermediates of formula (II) may also be prepared by Friedel-Crafts acylation in the presence of a suitable Lewis acid, for example by reacting an intermediate of formula (VII) with an intermediate of formula (VIII), wherein W₁ and W₂ represent a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of AlCl₃ and in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. carbon disulfide.

Intermediates of formula (II) may also be prepared by acylating an intermediate of formula (VII-a), i.e. L having an acidic hydrogen atom, with an intermediate of formula (IX), with W₁ as defined hereinabove, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. lithium diisopropylamide, and a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (II) may also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XI), with W₁ as defined hereinabove, with a suitable acid, such as a HBr solution, in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. water.

Intermediates of formula (III) may be prepared according to the first reaction procedure described above to prepare an intermediate of formula (II), thus by reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with an intermediate of formula (VI) in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. acetic acid, hydrobromic acid or the like.

Intermediates of formula (V) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XII), wherein W₃ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, with an intermediate of formula (XIII) in the presence of N,N-dimethyl-4-pyridinamine and a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane.

Intermediates of formula (XII), wherein W₃ represents chloro, said intermediates being represented by formula (XII-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XIV) with SOCl₂.

Intermediates of formula (V), wherein L is Het and Het is an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazinyl moiety as represented by formula (V-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XV) with an intermediate of formula (XVI), wherein W₄ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. bromo, in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol.

Intermediates of formula (V), wherein L is Het and Het is an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrirnidinyl moiety as represented by formula (V-b),can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XVII) with an intermediate of formula (XVIII), wherein W₅ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as methylene chloride.

Intermediates of formula (XVII) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XIX) with an intermediate of formula (XX) in a reaction-inert solvent, such as toluene.

Intermediates of formula (IV) may be prepared by hydrolizing an intermediate of formula (XXI) in the presence of a suitable base, such as for example sodium hydroxide, and in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol and the like.

Intermediates of formula (XXI) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXII) with an intermediate of formula (XXI) in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (XXII) may be prepared by hydrolyzing an intermediate of formula (XXIV) in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and the like, or mixtures thereof, and in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as for example ethyl acetate.

Intermediates of formula (XXIV) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXV) with phosphorazidic acid diphenyl ester in the presence of a suitable base, such as N,N-diethyl-ethanamine, and in the presence of a suitable alcohol such as C₁₋₆alkylOH, e.g. ethanol, t-butanol and the like.

The compounds of the present invention show cytokine production modulating activity, in particular cytokine production inhibitory activity, more in particular proinflammatory cytokine production inhibitory activity. A cytokine is any secreted polypeptide that affects the function of other cells by modulating interactions between cells in the immune or inflammatory response. Examples of cytokines include Interleukin-1 (IL-1) up to Interleukin-18 (IL-18), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα), Tumor Necrosis Factor-beta (TNF-β). The present compounds also show inhibitory activity on the production of chemotactic cytokines or chemokines responsible for trafficking and activation of leucocytes. A chemokine production inhibited by the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) is MCP-1 production (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1).

The cytokine production specifically inhibited by the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) is TNF-α and/or Interleukin-12 (IL-12) production.

TNF-α is primarily produced by monocytes, macrophages, T and B lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, tumour cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, astrocytes, microglial cells, smooth muscle cells and others. This proinflammatory cytokine is established at the pinnacle of proinflammatory cascades; it exerts a key role in the cytokine network with regard to the pathogenesis of many infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Excessive or unregulated TNF-α production is implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, juvenile arthritis and other arthritic conditions, polychondritis, sclerodoma, Wegener granulamatosis, dermatomyositis, Steven-Johnson syndrome, idiopatic sprue, endocrine opthalmopathy, Grave's disease, alveolitis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, primary billiary cirrhosis, uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, pemphigus, eosinophilia, Loffler's syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, parasitic infestation, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, polyarteritis nodosa, eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophil-related disorders affecting the airways occasioned by drug-reaction, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, cerebral malaria, adult respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis (acute, arachidic, catarrhal, chronic, croupus, phthinoid bronchitis), chronic obstructive airway or pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis (aluminosis,anthracosis, asbestosis, chalicocis, ptilosis, siderosis, silicosis, tobaccosis, byssionosis), tuberculosis, silicosis, exacerbation of airways hyperreactivity to other drug therapy (e.g. aspirin or β-agonist therapy), pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, meningitis, reperfusion injury, graft versus host reaction, allograft rejections, transplant rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia (consequential to, e.g. bacterial, viral or parasitic, infection. or to deprivation or deterioration of humoral or other organic function, or secondary to malignancy; malarial and vermal cachexia; cachexia resulting from dysfunction of the pituitary, thyroid or thymus glands as well as uremic cachexia; cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), diabetes, cancer, angiogenesis, lymphoma, Kawasaki syndrome, Behqet's syndrome, aphthous ulceration, skin-related disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, burns, dermatitis, keloid formation, scar tissue formation, erythema nodosum leprosum, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pyresis, asthma (intrinsic, extrinsic, allergic, non-atopic, exercise induced and occupational and bacterial infection induced asthma), wheezy infant syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, pancreatitis, cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, acute liver failure, glomerulonephritis, therapy-associated syndromes comprising Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, and syndromes associated with IL-2 infusion, anti-CD3 antibody infusion, hemodialysis, yellow fever vaccination. TNF-α has also been shown to activate HIV (Human Immune deficiency Virus) replication in monocytes and/or macrophages. Therefore, inhibition of TNF-α production or activity aids in limiting HIV progression. TNF-α also plays a role in other viral infections, such as Hepatitis C, CMV (cytomegalovirus), influenza and herpes virus infections, including herpes simplex virus type-1, herpes simplex virus type-2, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus-6, -7 and -8, pseudorabies and rhinotracheitis.

IL-12 is produced primarily by monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells in response to bacteria, bacterial products (lipopolysaccharide) and immune signals. The production of IL-12 is regulated by other cytokines and endogenous mediators produced during inflammatory and immunological responses. IL-12 plays a central role in the immune system. Evidence obtained from animal models and human diseases suggests that inappropriate and protracted production of IL-12 and the ability of IL-12 to induce the generation of T helper 1 cell type responses may be instrumental in the development and maintenance of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen induced arthritis, allergic encephalitis, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis, and in the triggering of autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, or graft versus host diseases or shock. The adverse effects also include anemia (haemolytic, aplastic, pure red cell, idiopatic thrombocytopenia), neutropenia, lymphopenia, hepatosplenomegaly with mononuclear cell infiltration and pulmonary edema with interstitial cell infiltrates. Excessive IL-12 production may accelerate the inflammatory progress of a disease, or the onset of the disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or it may also augment the disease severity.

Inhibition of TNF-α and/or IL-12 production by the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) might offer an interesting, potentially less toxic alternative to non-specific immunosuppression (e.g. corticosteroids) in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The combined modulation of TNF-α and IL-12 production may ameliorate the treated disease to a greater extent than mono-therapy. The therapeutic effect of combining the suppression of both the immune and the inflammatory arm of a disease may provide additional clinical benefits. The present compounds are also indicated for use as co-therapeutic agents for use in conjunction with immunosuppressive and/or anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. as potentiators of the therapeutic activity of said drugs, to reduce required dosaging or thus also potential side effects of said drugs. Immunosuppressive and/or anti-inflammatory drugs include for example cyclopeptide, cyclopeptolide or macrolide immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as drugs belonging to the cyclosporin class, e.g. cyclosporine A or G, tacrolimus substances, ascomycin, rapamycin, glucocorticosteroid drugs, e.g. budesonide, beclamethasone, fluticasone, mometasone.

The compounds of formula (I) or (I′) are useful in preventing or treating cytokine mediated diseases, and as such, inhibit, suppress or antagonize the production or activity of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and/or IL-12.

Disorders mediated through TNF-α and/or IL-12 refers to any and all disorders and disease states in which TNF-α and/or IL-12 play a role, either by the cytokine itself, or by the cytokine causing another cytokine, such as for example IL-1 or IL-6, or a certain mediator to be released.

Due to their cytokine production inhibitory activity, in particular their proinflammatory cytokine production inhibitory activity, more in particular their TNF-α and/or IL-12 inhibitory activity, the compounds of formula (I) or (I′), their N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions mediated through cytokines, in particular diseases or conditions related to excessive or unregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and/or IL-12, comprising inflammatory diseases or auto-immune diseases. Diseases or conditions related to an excessive or unregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines comprise rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, juvenile arthritis and other arthritic conditions, polychondritis, sclerodoma, Wegener granulamatosis, dermatomyositis, Steven-Johnson syndrome, idiopatic sprue, endocrine opthalmopathy, Graves' disease, alveolitis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, primary billiary cirrhosis, uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, pemphigus, eosinophilia, Loffler's syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, parasitic infestation, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, polyarteritis nodosa, eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophil-related disorders affecting the airways occasioned by drug-reaction, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, cerebral malaria, adult respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis (acute, arachidic, catarrhal, chronic, croupus, phthinoid bronchitis), chronic obstructive airway or pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis (aluminosis,anthracosis, asbestosis, chalicocis, ptilosis, siderosis, silicosis, tobaccosis, byssionosis), exacerbation of airways hyperreactivity to other drug therapy (e.g. aspirin or β-agonist therapy), silicosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, meningitis, allergic encephalitis, reperfusion injury, graft versus host reaction, allograft rejections, transplant rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia (consequential to, e.g. bacterial, viral or parasitic, infection or to deprivation or deterioration of humoral or other organic function, or secondary to malignancy; malarial and vermal cachexia; cachexia resulting from dysfunction of the pituitary, thyroid or thymus glands as well as uremic cachexia; cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), diabetes, cancer, angiogenesis, lymphoma, Kawasaki syndrome, Behqet's syndrome, aphthous ulceration, skin-related disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, burns, dermatitis, keloid formation, scar tissue formation, erythema nodosum leprosum, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pyresis, asthma (intrinsic, extrinsic, allergic, non-atopic, exercise induced and occupational and bacterial infection induced asthma), wheezy infant syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, pancreatitis, cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, acute liver failure, glomerulonephritis, therapy-associated syndromes comprising Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, and syndromes associated with IL-2 infusion, anti-CD3 antibody infusion, hemodialysis, yellow fever vaccination, HIV or other viral infections, such as Hepatitis C, CMV, influenza and herpes virus infections, pseudorabies and rhinotracheitis, angiofollicular lympoid hyperplasia, anemia (haemolytic, aplastic, pure red cell, idiopatic thrombocytopenia), neutropenia, Iymphopenia, hepatosplenomegaly with mononuclear cell infiltration and pulmonary edema with interstitial cell infiltrates; or to prevent these diseases. In particular, the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel disease or colitis.

The cytokine production inhibitory activity of the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) such as the inhibition of TNF-α and/or IL-12 production, may be demonstrated in the in vitro test “Inhibition of cytokine production in human whole blood cultures”. Suitable in vivo tests are “Determination of cytokine in serum of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and anti-CD3 challenged mice”, “Inhibition of LPS-galactosamine induced shock in mice”, “Inhibition of collagen induced arthritis in mice”.

The compounds of formula (I) or (I′) may also inhibit Interleukin-6 (IL-6).

The present compounds also have a selective affinity for adenosine A₃ receptors. Therefore, they can be used to prevent and/or treat adenosine related diseases such as asthma, allergosis, inflammation, Addison's disease, autoallergic hemolytic anemia, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, rheumatism, diabetes.

The present compounds may also act as intermediates for the preparation of further thiazolyl derivatives.

In view of the above described pharmacological properties, the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) or any subgroup thereof, their N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms, may be used as a medicine. In particular, the present compounds can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing diseases mediated through cytokines, more in particular diseases mediated through TNF-α and/or IL-12, such as inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. The present compounds can also be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor.

In view of the utility of the compounds of formula (I) or (I′), there is provided a method of treating warm-blooded animals, including humans, suffering from or a method of preventing warm-blooded animals, including humans, to suffer from diseases mediated through cytokines, in particular mediated through TNF-α and/or IL-12, such as inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. There is also provided a method of treating warm-blooded animals, including humans, suffering from or a method of preventing warm-blooded animals, including humans, to suffer from diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor. Said methods comprise the administration, preferably oral administration, of an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (I′), a N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine or a possible stereoisomeric form thereof, to warm-blooded animals, including humans.

The present invention also provides compositions for preventing or treating diseases mediated through cytokines or mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

The compounds of the present invention or any subgroup thereof may be formulated into various pharmaceutical forms for administration purposes. As appropriate compositions there may be cited all compositions usually employed for systemically administering drugs. To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, an effective amount of the particular compound, optionally in addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirable in unitary dosage form suitable, particularly, for administration orally, rectally, percutaneously, or by parenteral injection. For example, in preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions and solutions; or solid carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin, diluents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules, and tablets. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. For parenteral compositions, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, at least in large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included. Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the carrier comprises saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like may be employed. Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before ;use, to liquid form preparations. In the compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, the carrier optionally comprises a penetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wetting agent, optionally combined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions, which additives do not introduce a significant deleterious effect on the skin. Said additives may facilitate the administration to the skin and/or may be helpful for preparing the desired compositions. These compositions may be administered in various ways, e.g., as a transdermal patch, as a spot-on, as an ointment. The compounds of the present invention may also be administered via inhalation or insufflation by means of methods and formulations employed in the art for administration via this way. Thus, in general the compounds of the present invention may be administered to the lungs in the form of a solution, a suspension or a dry powder. Any system developed for the delivery of solutions, suspensions or dry powders via oral or nasal inhalation or insufflation are suitable for the administration of the present compounds.

To aid solubility of the compounds of formula (I), suitable ingredients, e.g. cyclodextrins, may be included in the compositions. Appropriate cyclodextrins are α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrins or ethers and mixed ethers thereof wherein one or more of the hydroxy groups of the anhydroglucose units of the cyclodextrin are substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, particularly methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, e.g. randomly methylated β-CD; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, particularly hydroxyethyl, hydroxy-propyl or hydroxybutyl; carboxyC₁₋₆alkyl, particularly carboxymethyl or carboxy-ethyl; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, particularly acetyl. Especially noteworthy as complexants and/or solubilizers are β-CD, randomly methylated, β-CD, 2,6-dimethyl-β-CD, 2-hydroxyethyl-β-CD, 2-hydroxyethyl-γ-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-CD and (2-carboxymethoxy)propyl-γ-CD, and in particular 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-CD (2-HP-β-CD).

The term mixed ether denotes cyclodextrin derivatives wherein at least two cyclodextrin hydroxy groups are etherified with different groups such as, for example, hydroxy-propyl and hydroxyethyl.

The average molar substitution (M.S.) is used as a measure of the average number of moles of alkoxy units per mole of anhydroglucose. The average substitution degree (D.S.) refers to the average number of substituted hydroxyls per anhydroglucose unit. The M.S. and D.S. value can be determined by various analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Depending on the technique used, slightly different values may be obtained for one given cyclodextrin derivative. Preferably, as measured by mass spectrometry, the M.S. ranges from 0.125 to 10 and the D.S. ranges from 0.125 to 3.

Other suitable compositions for oral or rectal administration comprise particles consisting of a solid dispersion comprising a compound of formula (I) and one or more appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymers.

The term “a solid dispersion” used hereinafter defines a system in a solid state (as opposed to a liquid or gaseous state) comprising at least two components, in casu the compound of formula (I) and the water-soluble polymer, wherein one component is dispersed more or less evenly throughout the other component or components (in case additional pharmaceutically acceptable formulating agents, generally known in the art, are included, such as plasticizers, preservatives and the like). When said dispersion of the components is such that the system is chemically and physically uniform or homogenous throughout or consists of one phase as defined in thermo-dynamics, such a solid dispersion will be called “a solid solution”. Solid solutions are preferred physical systems because the components therein are usually readily bioavailable to the organisms to which they are administered. This advantage can probably be explained by the ease with which said solid solutions can form liquid solutions when contacted with a liquid medium such as the gastro-intestinal juices. The ease of dissolution may be attributed at least in part to the fact that the energy required for dissolution of the components from a solid solution is less than that required for the dissolution of components from a crystalline or microcrystalline solid phase.

The term “a solid dispersion” also comprises dispersions which are less homogenous throughout than solid solutions. Such dispersions are not chemically and physically uniform throughout or comprise more than one phase. For example, the term “a solid dispersion” also relates to a system having domains or small regions wherein amorphous, microcrystalline or crystalline compound of formula (I), or amorphous, microcrystalline or crystalline water-soluble polymer, or both, are dispersed more or less evenly in another phase comprising water-soluble polymer, or compound of formula (I), or a solid solution comprising compound of formula (I) and water-soluble polymer. Said domains are regions within the solid dispersion distinctively marked by some physical feature, small in size, and evenly and randomly distributed throughout the solid dispersion.

Various techniques exist for preparing solid dispersions including melt-extrusion, spray-drying and solution-evaporation.

The solution-evaporation process comprises the following steps:

-   a) dissolving the compound of formula (I) and the water-soluble     polymer in an appropriate solvent, optionally at elevated     temperatures; -   b) heating the solution resulting under point a), optionally under     vacuum, until the solvent is evaporated. The solution may also be     poured onto a large surface so as to form a thin film, and     evaporating the solvent therefrom.

In the spray-drying technique, the two components are also dissolved in an appropriate solvent and the resulting solution is then sprayed through the nozzle of a spray dryer followed by evaporating the solvent from the resulting droplets at elevated temperatures.

The preferred technique for preparing solid dispersions is the melt-extrusion process comprising the following steps:

-   -   a) mixing a compound of formula (I) and an appropriate         water-soluble polymer,     -   b) optionally blending additives with the thus obtained mixture,     -   c) heating and compounding the thus obtained blend until one         obtains a homogenous melt,     -   d) forcing the thus obtained melt through one or more nozzles;         and     -   e) cooling the melt till it solidifies.

The terms “melt” and “melting” should be interpreted broadly. These terms not only mean the alteration from a solid state to a liquid state, but can also refer to a transition to a glassy state or a rubbery state, and in which it is possible for one component of the mixture to get embedded more or less homogeneously into the other. In particular cases, one component will melt and the other component(s) will dissolve in the melt thus forming a solution, which upon cooling may form a solid solution having advantageous dissolution properties.

After preparing the solid dispersions as described hereinabove, the obtained products can be optionally milled and sieved.

The solid dispersion product may be milled or ground to particles having a particle size of less than 600 μm, preferably less than 400 μm and most preferably less than 125 μm.

The particles prepared as described hereinabove can then be formulated by conventional techniques into pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets and capsules.

It will be appreciated that a person of skill in the art will be able to optimize the parameters of the solid dispersion preparation techniques described above, such as the most appropriate solvent, the working temperature, the kind of apparatus being used, the rate of spray-drying, the throughput rate in the melt-extruder

The water-soluble polymers in the particles are polymers that have an apparent viscosity, when dissolved at 20° C. in an aqueous solution at 2% (w/v), of 1 to 5000 mPa.s more preferably of 1 to 700 mPa.s, and most preferred of 1 to 100 mPa.s. For example, suitable water-soluble polymers include alkylcelluloses, hydroxyalkylcelluloses, hydroxyalkyl alkylcelluloses, carboxyalkylcelluloses, alkali metal salts of carboxyalkylcelluloses, carboxyalkylalkylcelluloses, carboxyalkylcellulose esters, starches, pectines, chitin derivates, di-, oligo- and polysaccharides such as trehalose, alginic acid or alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, carrageenans, galactomannans, tragacanth, agar-agar, gummi arabicum, guar gummi and xanthan gummi, polyacrylic acids and the salts thereof, polymethacrylic acids and the salts thereof, methacrylate copolymers, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone with vinyl acetate, combinations of polyvinylalcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferred water-soluble polymers are hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses.

Also one or more cyclodextrins can be used as water soluble polymer in the preparation of the above-mentioned particles as is disclosed in WO 97/18839. Said cyclodextrins include the pharmaceutically acceptable unsubstituted and substituted cyclodextrins known in the art, more particularly α, β, or γ cyclodextrins or the pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.

Substituted cyclodextrins which can be used to prepare the above described particles include polyethers described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,731. Further substituted cyclodextrins are ethers wherein the hydrogen of one or more cyclodextrin hydroxy groups is replaced by C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, carboxy-C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl or mixed ethers thereof. In particular such substituted cyclodextrins are ethers wherein the hydrogen of one or more cyclodextrin hydroxy groups is replaced by C₁₋₃alkyl, hydroxyC₂₋₄alkyl or carboxyC₁₋₂alkyl or more in particular by methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, carboxymethyl or carboxyethyl.

Of particular utility are the β-cyclodextrin ethers, e.g. dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin as described in Drugs of the Future, Vol. 9, No. 8, p. 577–578 by M. Nogradi (1984) and polyethers, e.g. hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin and hydroxyethyl O-cyclodextrin, being examples. Such an alkyl ether may be a methyl ether with a degree of substitution of about 0.125 to 3, e.g. about 0.3 to 2. Such a hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin may for example be formed from the reaction between P-cyclodextrin an propylene oxide and may have a MS value of about 0.125 to 10, e.g. about 0.3 to 3.

Another type of substituted cyclodextrins is sulfobutylcyclodextrines.

The ratio of the compound of formula (I) over the water soluble polymer may vary widely. For example ratios of 1/100 to 100/1 may be applied. Interesting ratios of the compound of formula (I) over cyclodextrin range from about 1/10 to 10/1. More interesting ratios range from about 1/5 to 5/1.

It may further be convenient to formulate the compounds of formula (I) in the form of nanoparticles which have a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than 1000 nm. Useful surface modifiers are believed to include those which physically adhere to the surface of the compound of formula (I) but do not chemically bond to said compound.

Suitable surface modifiers can preferably be selected from known organic and inorganic pharmaceutical excipients. Such excipients include various polymers, low molecular weight oligomers, natural products and surfactants. Preferred surface modifiers include nonionic and anionic surfactants.

Yet another interesting way of formulating the compounds of formula (I) involves a pharmaceutical composition whereby the compounds of formula (I) are incorporated in hydrophilic polymers and applying this mixture as a coat film over many small beads, thus yielding a composition which can conveniently be manufactured and which is suitable for preparing pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral administration.

Said beads comprise a central, rounded or spherical core, a coating film of a hydrophilic polymer and a compound of formula (I) and optionally a seal-coating layer.

Materials suitable for use as cores in the beads are manifold, provided that said materials are pharmaceutically acceptable and have appropriate dimensions and firmness. Examples of such materials are polymers, inorganic substances, organic substances, and saccharides and derivatives thereof.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Unit dosage form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such unit dosage forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, suppositories, injectable solutions or suspensions and the like, and segregated multiples thereof.

The present compounds are orally active compounds, and are preferably orally administered.

The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound of formula (I) used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight, sex, extent of disorder and general physical condition of the particular patient as well as other medication the individual may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that said effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribing the compounds of the instant invention.

The compounds of formula (I) may also be used in combination with other conventional anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agents, such as steroids, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs, TNF-α antibodies, such as for example acetyl salicylic acid, bufexamac, diclofenac potassium, sulindac, diclofenac sodium, ketorolac trometamol, tolmetine, ibuprofen, naproxen, naproxen sodium, tiaprofen acid, flurbiprofen, mefenamic acid, nifluminic acid, meclofenamate, indomethacin, proglumetacine, ketoprofen, nabumetone, paracetamol, piroxicam, tenoxicaam, nimesulide, fenylbutazon, tramadol, beclomethasone dipropionate, betamethasone, beclamethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, triamcinolone, celecoxib, rofecoxib, infliximab, leflunomide, etanercept, CPH 82, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, antilymphocytory immunoglobulines, antithymocytory immunoglobulines, azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus substances, ascomycin, rapamycin, muromonab-CD3.

Thus, the present invention also relates to the combination of a compound of formula (I) and another anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent. Said combination may be used as a medicine. The present invention also relates to a product containing (a) a compound of formula (I), and (b) another anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of diseases related to an excessive or unregulated cytokine production. The different drugs may be combined in a single preparation together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Experimental Part

A. Preparation of the Intermediate Compounds

EXAMPLE A1

2-Bromo-acetoacetaldehyde (0.1 mol) was added portionwise to pyrazinamine (0.1 mol) in ethanol (200 ml) while stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed for one hour, then allowed to cool to room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 13.5 g of 1-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl)ethanone (55%) (interm. 1).

EXAMPLE A2

a) A mixture of 2-pyrimidinamine (0.5 mol) and 1,1-dimethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-methanamine (0.55 mol) in methylbenzene (500 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: ±75 g of N,N-dimethyl-N′-(2-pyrimidinyl)methanimidamide (interm. 2). b) A mixture of intermediate (2) (0.066 mol) and 1-chloro-2-propanone (0.13 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (500 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN, filtered off, washed and dried. Yield: 6.9 g of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-ylethanone (65.1%) (interm. 3).

EXAMPLE A3

a) A mixture of 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (0.026 mol) in thionyl chloride (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated. Yield: 5.2 g of 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarbonyl chloride (interm. 4)

b) A mixture of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione (0.025 mol) in dichloromethane (150 ml) was stirred under N₂ flow and cooled to 0° C. N,N-Dimethyl-4-pyridinamine (0.055 mol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (50 ml) and added dropwise to the first solution at 0° C. This reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes without an ice-bath. The mixture was again cooled and intermediate 4 (0.025 mol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (100 ml) and added dropwise to the first solution at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 0° C. and overnight at room temperature under N₂ flow. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with HCl 1N (30 ml) and H₂O (70 ml) and again with H₂O (2×). The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield : 6.1 g of 1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl]ethanone (interm. 5)

EXAMPLE A4

Reference method: Lipinski et al. J.Org.Chem. 1984,49,50. A solution of acetyl chloride (0.072 mol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was added dropwise to a mixture of 1-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethanone (0.024 mol) and N,N-diethylethanamine (0.072 mol) in dichloromethane (230 ml). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. N,N-diethylethanamine (0.75 g) was added again. The mixture was washed very shortly with ice water (50 ml) and separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with CH₂Cl₂ (30 ml). The combined organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml). trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (0.053 mol) was added. Na₂CO₃ (80 nml) was added. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 100/0 to 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 3.4 g of 1-(1,2-dimethyl-1-H-imidazol-5-yl)ethanone (interm. 6)

EXAMPLE A5

a) 6-Chloro-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (0.1 mol) was dissolved in CS₂ (400 ml). The solution was warrned. AlCl₃ (0.3 mol) was added portionwise (exothermic temperature rise to reflux temperature). A solution of chloroacetyl chloride (0.2 mol) in CS₂ (100 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, then stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was decomposed with ice (200 g). CH₃OH (100 ml) was added. 1N HCl (100 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. The precipitate was filtered off, rinsed with 2-propanone and dried. Yield: 8.86 g of 2-chloro-1-(6-chloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethanone monohydrochloride (interm. 7). The filtrate was alkalized with Na₂CO₃, then with 50% NaOH. This mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×). The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 2-propanone and converted into the hydrochloric acid salt (1:1) with HCl/2-propanol. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 1.81 g of intermediate (7). Total yield: 10.67 g (40.2%) of intermediate (7).

b) Reaction under N₂ atmosphere. Tetrahydrofuran (700 ml) was cooled to −70° C. n-Butyllithium 2.5M in hexane (100 ml) was added. A solution of N-(1-methylethyl)-2-propanamine (0.22 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise at −70° C., then warmed slowly to −40° C. and stirred for 30 minutes at 40° C. The reaction mixture was re-cooled to −70° C. A solution of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine (0.2 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours, allowing the temperature to rise to ±−30° C. The reaction mixture was re-cooled to −70° C. A solution of N,N-dimethyl-2-chloroacetamide (0.22 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred until the temperature reached ±0° C. The reaction mixture was cooled, decomposed with ice and 2N HCl. The layers were separated. The water layer was extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. Yield: 24 g of 2-chloro-1-(imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethanone (62%) (interm. 8).

c) Intermediate (1) (0.02 mol) in HBr 48% (90 ml) was stirred at 70° C. A solution of Br₂ (0.02 mol) in HBr 48% (10 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at 70° C. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in 2-propanone with a small amount of ethanol, filtered off and dried. Yield: 6.15 g of 2-bromo-1-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl)ethanone monohydrobromide (interm. 9).

d) 1-(1H-indazol-3-yl)ethanone (0.01 mol) was stirred in 1,4-dioxane (100 ml), at room temperature. A solution of Br₂ (0.01 mol) in 1,4-dioxane (20 ml) was added dropwise and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃OH, filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.73 g of 2-bromo-1-(1H-indazol-3-yl)ethanone (interm. 10).

e) Intermediate (3) (0.15 mol) was dissolved in acetic acid (250 ml). A solution of Br₂ (0.3 mol) in acetic acid (40 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 100° C. (steam bath). The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C., then stirred overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed and dried (in vacuo). Yield: 40.4 g (84.2%, mixture of two major compounds). HPLC separation gave two fraction groups. The solvent of each group was evaporated. Yield: 17 g of 2,2-dibromo-1-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)ethanone (interm. 8) and 7.2 g of 2-bromo-1-(imidazo[1,2-a]-pyrimidin-3-yl)ethanone monohydrobromide (interm. 11).

f) 1-(6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)ethanone (0.005 mol) was dissolved in a solution of hydrobromide 48% (15 ml). The mixture was heated to ±70° C. Br₂ (0.005 mol) was added dropwise over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed, then suspended in 2-propanone. The precipitate was filtered off, washed and dried. Yield: 1.2 g of 2,2-dibromo-1-(6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)ethanone (interm. 12).

EXAMPLE A6

a) N,N-diethylethanamine (2.61 g) was added to a mixture of 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (0.025 mol) in t-butanol (100 ml). The mixture was warmed up to 90° C. Phosphorazidic acid, diphenyl ester (0.025 mol) was added dropwise (N₂-development). The mixture was stirred at 90° C. overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue (16.98 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent CH₂Cl₂ 100%). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 6.3 g (96%) of carbamic acid, (6-trifluoromethyl-3-pyridinyl), 1,1-dimethylethyl ester (interm. 13)

b) HBr/acetic acid (30 ml) was added to a mixture of intermediate 13 (0.02 mol) and ethyl acetate (150 ml) (a precipitate was formed immediately). EtOH was added. More HBr/acetic acid (10 ml) was added. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate. NaOH (1M) was added. The mixture was extracted. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. HCl 1M (100 ml) was added. The solution was stirred at 80° C. for 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated. NaOH (1M) was added. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×100 ml). The combined organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 2.64 g of 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinamine (interm. 14).

c) A solution of benzoyl isothiocyanate (0.016 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was added at room temperature to a mixture of intermediate 14 (0.016 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (200 ml). The mixture was stirred overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in diisopropyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo at 40° C. Yield: 3.189 g (61.3%) of N-[[6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl-amino]thioxomethyl]benzamide (interm. 15).

d) A mixture of intermediate 15 (0.0098 mol) and NaOH 1M (0.01 mol) in ethanol (150 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 30 minutes and then cooled. MgSO₄ was added. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was stirred in diisopropyl ether, stirred and refluxed, cooled, filtered and dried. Yield: 1.178 g (54.3%) of [6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl] thiourea (interm. 16).

The following intermediates were prepared analogous to one of the above examples (the example number according to which they were prepared is indicated between square brackets after the intermediate number).

B. Preparation of the Final Compounds

EXAMPLE B1

a) A mixture of 2-chloro-1-(imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)ethanone monohydrochloride (0.0025 mol), prepared according to ASa), and intermediate 16 (0.0025 mol) in ethanol (50 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 10 hours and then cooled. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.54 g of 4-(imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)-N-[(6-trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl]-2-thiazolamine monohydrochloride; mp 242° C. (comp. 568).

(b) A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.001 mol) and (4-chlorophenyl)thiourea (0.001 mol) in ethanol (10 ml) was stirred for 3 hours at ±70° C., then stirred overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.33 g of N-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl-2-thiazolamine monohydrobromide (comp. 2).

c) A mixture of intermediate (11) (0.005 mol) and 3-pyridinylthiourea (0.005 mol) in ethanol (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 12 hours, then cooled and the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed and dried (vacuum). Yield: 0.2 g of N-(4-imidazo-[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-yl-2-thiazolyl)-3-pyridinamine monohydrobromide (10.5%) (comp. 3).

d) A mixture of 2-bromo 1-(5-methyl-3-pyridinyl)ethanone (0.00125 mol) and 2,2-dibromo 1-(5-methyl-3-pyridinyl)ethanone (0.00125 mol), both prepared according to, ASe), and [3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]thiourea in ethanol (25 ml) was stirred and 35, refluxed for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature A solid was formed, filtered off, washed and dried (vacuum). Yield: 0.4 g of N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[5-methyl-3-pyridinyl]-2-thiazolamine monohydrobromide (comp. 626).

EXAMPLE B2

A mixture of N-(3-nitro-phenyl4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-2-thiazolamine, (0.003 mol), prepared according to the synthesis procedure described under B1a-2), in methanol (150 ml) was hydrogenated with palladium-on-charcoal 10% (1 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene 4% in diisopropylether (1 ml). After uptake of hydrogen (3 equivalents), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethanol and converted into the hydrochloric acid salt (1:2) with HCl/2-propanol. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.85 g of N-(4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-2-thiazolyl)-1,3-benzenediamine dihydrochloride monohydrate (comp 5).

EXAMPLE B3

A mixture of compound (6) (see Table 2) (0.0025 mol), prepared according to the synthesis procedure described under B1b), in HCl conc. (10 ml) and water (10 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour. HCl conc. (10 ml) and water (10 ml) were added again. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃OH. The precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo at 50° C. for 16 hours. Yielding: 0.4 g of 4-[(4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-2-thiazolyl)amino]benzoic acid monohydrochloride (38%) (comp. 7).

EXAMPLE B4

A mixture of compound 634 (0.0014 mol) in water (60 ml) was stirred and then a hydrobromide solution 48% (6 ml) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was stirred further for 48 hours at room temperature under N₂ flow. The solvent is evaporated. The residue was crystallized from 2-propanone and CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.61 g of 6-[2-[[2,3-dichlorophenyl]amino]-4-thiazolyl]pyridinamine monohydrobromide; mp. 236° C. (comp. 635).

EXAMPLE B5

A mixture of N-[5-[(1-oxo-2-bromo)ethyl]-2-pyridinyl]acetamide (0.002 mol), prepared according to A5c), and [3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiourea (0.002 mol) in ethanol (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour. The mixture was cooled and the precipitate was filtered off. This precipitate was stirred in water (90 ml) and a hydrobromide solution 48% (10 ml) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed overnight, cooled off and washed with CH₂Cl₂ (2×). The aqueous layer was evaporated until dry, stirred in 2-propanone, filtered off and dried. The precipate was stirred in water and the formed precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yeild 0.25 g of 6-[2-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]4-thiazolyl]pyridinamine monhydrobromide monohydrate; mp. 148° C. (comp. 637). Tables 1 to 12 list the compounds of formula (I) which were prepared according to one of the above described examples.

TABLE 1

Co. Ex. no. no. X R¹ R² R³ R⁴ Physical data  8 B1a CH H 4-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 235° C.  9 B1a CH H H H H HCl (1:1); mp. 170– 172° C. (dec)*  10 B1a N H 4-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:2); mp. 222° C.  11 B1a N H H H H HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:1); mp. 188° C.  12 B1a N H 3-CF₃ H H HCl (1:2); mp. 190° C.  13 B1a N H 4-CH₃ H H HCl (1:2); mp. 210° C.  14 B1a N H 3-CH₃ H H HCl (1:2); mp. 198° C.  15 B1a N H 3-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:2); mp. 198° C.  16 B1a N H 4-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 228° C.  17 B1a CH CH₃ H H H HCl (1:1)  18 B1a CH CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1)  19 B1a N H 4-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:2)  20 B1a N H 4-Br H H HCl (1:2)  22 B1a CH H 4-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1)  48 B1a N H 2-F 3-F 4-F HCl (1:2) 151 B1a N H 2-CF₃ H H HCl (1:2) 152 B1a N H 4-OCH₂-phenyl H H HCl (1:2) 153 B1a N H 3-Br H H HCl (1:2) 154 B1a N H 2-OCF₃ H H HCl (1:2) 155 B1a N H 2-CH(CH₃)₂ H H HCl (1:2) 156 B1a N H 2-SCH₃ H H HCl (1:2) 157 B1a N H 2-OC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:2) 158 B1a N H 2-CH₃ H H HCl (1:2) 159 B1a N H 2-F H H HCl (1:2) 160 B1a N H 3-Cl 4-Br H HCl (1:2) 161 B1a N H 4-CF₃ 2-Cl H HCl (1:2) 162 B1a N H 4-CH₃ 3-Cl H HCl (1:2) 163 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:2) 164 B1a N H 3-F 4-F H HCl (1:2) 165 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 3-Cl H HCl (1:2) 166 B1a N H 2-Cl 3-Cl H HCl (1:2); mp. 227– 229° C. (dec)* 168 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 5-Cl H HCl (1:2) 169 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 5-F H HCl (1:2) 170 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 5-CH₃ HCl (1:2) 171 B1a N H 2-OCH₃ 4-Cl 5-OCH₃ HCl (1:2) 172 B1a N H 2-Cl 4-Cl 5-Cl HCl (1:2) 173 B1a N H 3-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ HCl (1:2) 174 B1a N H 2-Cl 5-CF₃ H HCl (1:2) 175 B1a N H 2-OCH₃ 5-Cl H HCl (1:2) 176 B1a N H 2-OCH₃ 5-CH₃ H HCl (1:2) 177 B1a N H 2-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ H HCl (1:2) 178 B1a N H 3-Cl 5-Cl H HCl (1:2) 179 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 3-CH₃ H HCl (1:2) 180 B1a N H 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H HCl (1:2) 181 B1a N H 2-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ H HCl (1:2) 182 B1a N H 3-CF₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:2) 183 B1a N H 2-Br 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:2) 184 B1a N H 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:2) 185 B1a N H 2-CF₃ 4-Br H HCl (1:2) 187 B1a N H 2-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:2) 188 B1a N H 2-OH H H HCl (1:2) 189 B1a N H 2-Cl H H HCl (1:2) 190 B1a N H 2-Br H H HCl (1:2) 191 B1a N H 3-SCH₃ H H HCl (1:2) 192 B1a N H 3-OH H H HCl (1:2) 193 B1a N H 3-F H H HCl (1:2) 194 B1a N H 3-CN H H HCl (1:2) 195 B1a N H 4-O-phenyl H H HCl (1:2) 196 B1a N H 2-(2,4-dichlo- H H HCl (1:2) rophenoxy) 197 B1a N H 2-F 5-F H HCl (1:2) 198 B1a N H 2-F 4-F H HCl (1:2) 199 B1a N H 2-Cl 4-Cl H HCl (1:2) 200 B1a N H 3-Cl 4-Cl H HCl (1:2) 203 B1a N H 2-C₂H₅ H H HCl (1:2) 204 B1a N H 3-COOH H H HCl (1:2) 205 B1a N H 3-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:2) 206 B1a N H 3-COCH₃ H H HCl (1:2) 207 B1a N H 4-OH H H HCl (1:2) 208 B1a N H 4-OC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:2) 209 B1a N H 4-OCF₃ H H HCl (1:2) 211 B1a N H 4-F H H HCl (1:2) 212 B1a N H 4-cyclohexyl H H HCl (1:2) 213 B1a N H 4-CN H H HCl (1:2) 214 B1a N H 4-C₂H₅ H H HCl (1:2) 215 B1a N H 4-COOH H H HCl (1:2) 217 B1a N H 3-Cl H H HCl (1:2)  21 B1a N H 2-Cl 5-Cl H HCl (1:2) 186 B1a N H 3-CF₃ 5-CF₃ H HCl (1:2) 210 B1a N H 3-S(O)₂—NH₂ H H HCl (1:1) *= decomposition

TABLE 2

Co. Ex. no. no. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ Physical data 1 B1a 6-Cl 4-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 23 B1a H 4-OCF₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 222° C. 24 B1a H 3-Cl H H HCl (1:1) 25 B1a H 2-Cl H H HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 26 B1a H 3-COOH H H HCl (1:1) 27 B1a H 3-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 28 B1a H 2-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ H HCl (1:1); mp. 158° C. 29 B1a H 3-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 30 B1a H 3-Cl 5-Cl H HCl (1:1) 31 B1a H 3-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 218– 220° C. (dec)* 32 B1a H 4-OC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 33 B1a H 3-S—CH₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 220° C. 34 B1a H 2-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1); ethanolate (1:1); mp. 152° C. 35 B1a H 3-OH H H HCl (1:1) 36 B1a H 3-COCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 37 B1a H 4-Cl H H HCl (1:1); ethanolate (1:1) 38 B1a H 3-CF₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 39 B1a H 4-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. >250° C. 40 B1a H 2-OH H H HCl (1:2) 41 B1a H 2-S—CH₃ H H HCl (1:2); ethanolate (1:1) 42 B1a H 4-I H H HCl (1:1) 43 B1a H 3-Cl 4-Cl H HCl (1:1); mp. >260° C. 44 B1a H 4-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 45 B1a H 2-Cl 3-Cl H HCl (1:1), H₂O (1:1); mp. 150–154° C. (dec)* 46 B1a H 2-F 3-F 4-F HCl (1:1) 47 B1a H 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 52 B1a H 4-cyclohexyl H H HCl (1:1) 54 B1a 6-Cl 4-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 232° C. 55 B1a 6-Cl 3-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp. 222° C. 56 B1a 6-Cl 3-OH H H HCl (1:1) 57 B1a H 4-CH(CH₃)₂ H H HCl (1:1) 58 B1a H 2-Cl 4-Cl 6-Cl HCl (1:1) 59 B1a H 2-Cl 6-Cl H 60 B1a H 2-CH₃ 6-CH₃ H 61 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H H 62 B1b 2-CH₃ H H H mp. 221–223° C. 63 B1b 2-CH₃ 2-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 190° C. 64 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1); ethanolate (1:1); mp. >260° C. 65 B1b 2-CH₃ 2-F H H HBr (1:1); mp. 246° C. 66 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-F H H HBr (1:1) 67 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-F H H HBr (1:1); mp. >258° C. 68 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-CN H H HBr (1:1) 69 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CN H H HBr (1:1); mp. >260° C. 70 B1b 2-CH₃ 2-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 204° C. 71 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-OH H H HBr (1:1); mp. >260° C. 72 B1b 2-CH₃ 2-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 250° C. 73 B1b 2-CH₃ 2-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 74 B1b H 4-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 254° C. 75 B1b H 4-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. >260° C. 76 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 256° C. 77 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 78 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1); ethanolate(1:1) 79 B1b H 2-F H H HBr (1:1) 80 B1b H H H H HBr (1:1) 81 B1b H 3-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 260– 262° C. (dec)* 82 B1b H 4-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 260– 262° C. (dec)* 83 B1b H 4-OH H H HBr (1:1), mp. >260° C. 84 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-S—CH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 85 B1b H 4-S—CH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 86 B1b H 4-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1); mp. >260° C. 87 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 238° C. 90 B1b H 4-F H H HCl (1:1) 92 B1b H 3-CN H H 6 B1b H 4-CN H H HBr (1:1) 99 B1b 2-CH₃ 2-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 104 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 105 B1b H 3-CF₃ 5-CF₃ H 107 B1b H 2-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. >250° C. 124 B1b 7-Cl 4-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 5 B2 H 3-NH₂ H H HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 7 B3 H 4-COOH H H HCl (1:1) 134 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:2) 135 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-Br H H HBr (1:1) 136 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 137 B1c 2-CH₃ 4-N(CH₃)₂ H H HBr (1:1) 138 B1b 2-CH₃

H H HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 139 B1c 2-CH₃ 4-NH₂ H H HBr (1:1) 141 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-NH—CO—CH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 142 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-OH H H HBr (1:1) 144 B1b 2-CH₃

H H HBr (1:1) 465 B1a H 4-OCH₂-phenyl H H HCl (1:1) 466 B1a H 3-Br H H 467 B1a H 2-OCF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 468 B1a H 2-CH(CH₃)₂ H H HCl (1:1) 469 B1a H 2-SCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 470 B1a H 2-OC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 471 B1a H 2-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 472 B1a H 2-F H H HCl (1:1) 473 B1a H 2-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 474 B1a H 3-Cl 4-Br H HCl (1:1) 475 B1a H 2-Cl 4-CF₃ H HCl (1:1) 476 B1a H 3-Cl 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 477 B1a H 2-CH₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 478 B1a H 3-F 4-F H HCl (1:1) 479 B1a H 2-CH₃ 3-Cl H HCl (1:1) 481 B1a H 2-CH₃ 5-Cl H HCl (1:1) 482 B1a H 2-CH₃ 5-F H HCl (1:1) 483 B1a H 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 5-CH₃ HCl (1:1) 484 B1a H 2-OCH₃ 4-Cl 5-OCH₃ HCl (1:1) 485 B1a H 2-Cl 4-Cl 5-Cl HCl (1:1) 486 B1a H 3-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ HCl (1:1) 488 B1a H 2-Cl 5-CF₃ H HCl (1:1) 489 B1a H 2-OCH₃ 5-Cl H HC1(1:1) 490 B1a H 2-OCH₃ 5-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 491 B1a H 2-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ H HCl (1:1) 492 B1a H 2-CH₃ 3-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 494 B1a H 2-Br 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 495 B1a H 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 496 B1a H 2-CF₃ 4-Br H HCl (1:1) 498 B1a H 2-Br H H HCl (1:1) 499 B1a H 3-F H H HC1(1:1) 500 B1a H 3-CN H H HCl (1:1) 501 B1a H 4-phenoxy H H HCl (1:1) 502 B1a H 2-C₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 504 B1a H 2-Cl 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 505 B1a H 2-F 4-F H HCl (1:1) 506 B1a H 2-Cl 5-Cl H HCl (1:1) 507 B1a H 2-F 5-F H HCl (1:1) 508 B1a H 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) H H HCl (1:1) 509 B1a H 4-Br H H HCl (1:1) 4 B1b 7-Cl 3-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 480 B1a H 4-S(O)₂—NH₂ H H HCl (1:1) 497 B1a H 3-S(O)₂—NH₂ H H HCl (1:1) 223 B1a H 3-S(O)₂—CH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 239 B1a H 3-CH₂—OH H H HCl (1:1) 244 B1a H 3-O—CH₃ 4-O—CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 254 B1a H 3-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 265 B1a H 4-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 291 B1a H 4-N₃ H H 299 B1a H 4-C(═O)—CH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 311 B1a H 3-CH₃ 4-F H HCl (1:1); mp. 250– 252° C. (dec)* *= decomposition

TABLE 3

Co. Ex. no. no. R¹ Het Physical data 88 B1b H 4-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 89 B1b H 2-thiazolyl HBr (1:1) 91 B1b H 1H-pyrazol-3-yl HBr (1:1); mp. 188° C. 93 B1b H 3-benzo[b]furanyl HBr (1:1) 94 B1b 4-OCH₃ 3-benzo[b]furanyl HBr (1:1) 96 B1b 4-OCH₃ 4-pyridinyl HBr (1:1); ethanolate (1:1); mp. 250° C. 97 B1b 4-OCH₃ 1H-pyrazol-3-yl HBr (1:1) 98 B1b 4-OCH₃ 2-thiazolyl HBr (1:2) 100 B1b 3-CF₃ 3-quinolinyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp. 171–173° C. (dec)* 102 B1b 3-CF₃ 4-pyridinyl HBr (1:1); mp. >250° C. 103 B1b 3-CF₃ 2-thiazolyl HBr (1:1); mp. 222° C. 106 B1b 4-OCH₃ 3-quinolinyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 108 B1b 4-OCH₃ 1H-indazol-3-yl HBr (1:1); mp. 212° C. 111 B1b 3-CF₃ 1H-indazol-3-yl HBr (1:1) 112 B1b H 1H-indazol-3-yl HBr (1:1); mp. 238° C. 113 B1b 4-CH₃

119 B1b 3-CH₃

HBr (1:1); mp. 202–204° C. (dec)* 120 B1b 4-Br

HBr (1:1) 125 B1c 4-OCH₃

HBr (1:1) 140 B1b 4-CH₃

HBr (1:2); mp. >260° C. 145 B1b 4-OC₂H₅ 2,4-dimethyl-5-thiazolyl 146 B1b 4-SO₂—NH₂ 2-amino-4-methyl-5-thiazolyl 332 B1c 3-CF₃

HBr (1:1) 359 B1a H 4-pyridinyl 373 B1a 3-CH₃ 4-pyridinyl 387 B1a 4-NH₂ 4-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 427 B1a 4-CH₃ 4-pyridinyl 437 B1a 4-O—C₂H₅ 4-pyridinyl 449 B1a 3-OH 4-pyridinyl 511 B1b 3-CF₃ 1,2-dimethyl-1H- HBr (1:1) imidazol-5-yl 512 B1b 3-Cl 4-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 513 B1a H 5-chloro-2-thienyl 514 B1a 4-Br 2,4-dimethyl-5-thiazolyl 515 B1a 3-CH₃

516 B1a 3-OH

517 B1b 3-CF₃ 5-pyrimidinyl mp 214° C. 518 B1b 3-CF₃ 3-furanyl HCl (1:1); mp. 120– 122° C. (dec)* 519 B1b 3-CF₃ 2-furanyl HCl (1:1) *= decomposition

TABLE 4

Co. Ex. no. no. Het Q Physical data 130 B1a

HCl (1:1) 131 B1b

HBr (1:1) 132 B1b

3-pyridinyl 133 B1c

3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 143 B1c

2-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 150 B1b

cyclohexyl 201 B1a

HCl (1:2) 202 B1a

1-naphthalenyl HCl (1:2) 237 B1b

HBr (1:1) 238 B1b

1-naphthalenyl HBr (1:1) 426 B1a

1-naphthalenyl HC1(1:1) 510 B1a

1-naphthalenyl HBr (1:1) 218 B1a

cyclohexyl HCl (1:1) 520 B1a 4-pyridinyl 2,6-dichlorophenyl 521 B1a 4-pyridinyl 2,6-dimethylphenyl 522 B1a

3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 523 B1a 5-chloro-2- 3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) thienyl 524 B1a

2-pyridinyl 525 B1b 3-furanyl 2,3-dichlorophenyl 526 B1a

6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl mp. 210–212° C. (dec)* 527 B1a 1,2-dimethy-1H- 6-chloro-3- HBr (1:1); mp. 174– imidazol-5-yl pyridinyl 176° C. (dec)

TABLE 5

Co. Ex. no. no. R¹ R² R³ Physical data  2 B1b 4-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 114 B1b 4-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 115 B1b 3-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 116 B1b 4-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 117 B1b H H H HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 118 B1b 3-OH H H HBr (1:1) 121 B1b 3-CF₃ H H 123 B1b 4-Br H H HBr (1:1) 219 B1b 2-Cl 4-Cl 5-Cl HBr (1:1) 220 B1b 2-OCH₃ 4-Cl 5-OCH₃ HBr (1:1) 221 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 5-CH₃ HBr (1:1) 222 B1b 2-CH₃ 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 224 B1b 2-Cl 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 225 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 226 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 227 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ H HBr (1:1) 228 B1b 3-Cl 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 229 B1b 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 230 B1b 2-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ H HBr (1:1) 231 B1b 3-F 4-F H HBr (1:1) 232 B1b 2-Cl 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 233 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 234 B1b 3-Cl 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 235 B1b 3-CF₃ 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 236 B1b 4-CH₃ 3-Cl H HBr (1:1) 240 B1b 2-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 241 B1b 2-OH H H HBr (1:1) 242 B1b 2-Br H H HBr (1:1) 243 B1b 3-SCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 245 B1b 3-F H H HBr (1:1) 246 B1b 3-CN H H HBr (1:1) 247 B1b 3-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 248 B1b 3-COOH H H HBr (1:1) 249 B1b 3-COOC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 250 B1b 3-Br H H HBr (1:1) 251 B1b 4-OH H H HBr (1:1) 252 B1b 4-phenoxy H H HBr (1:1) 253 B1b 4-OCH₂-phenyl H H HBr (1:1) 255 B1b 4-F H H HBr (1:1) 256 B1b 4-cyclohexyl H H HBr (1:1) 257 B1b 4-COOH H H HBr (1:1) 258 B1b 4-COOC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 259 B1b 4-COCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 260 B1b 4-OC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 261 B1b 4-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1)

TABLE 6

Co. Ex. no. no. R¹ R² R³ Physical data 262 B1b 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) H H HBr (1:1) 263 B1b 3-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ HBr (1:1) 264 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 5-CH₃ HBr (1:1) 266 B1b 2-F 5-F H HBr (1:1) 267 B1b 2-Cl 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 268 B1b 2-Cl 5-CF₃ H HBr (1:1) 269 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 270 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 271 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ H HBr (1:1) 272 B1b 3-Cl 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 273 B1b 2-Cl 3-Cl H HBr (1:1) 274 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-Cl H HBr (1:1) 275 B1b 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 276 B1b 3-CF₃ 5-CF₃ H HBr (1:1) 277 B1b 2-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ H HBr (1:1) 278 B1b 2-F 4-F H HBr (1:1) 279 B1b 3-F 4-F H HBr (1:1) 280 B1b 2-Cl 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 281 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 282 B1b 3-Cl 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 283 B1b 3-CF₃ 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 284 B1b 2-Br 4-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 285 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 286 B1b 3-Cl 4-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 287 B1b 2-Cl 4-CF₃ H HBr (1:1) 288 B1b 2-CF₃ 4-Br H HBr (1:1) 289 B1b 3-Cl 4-Br H HBr (1:1) 292 B1b 2-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 293 B1b 2-OH H H HBr (1:1) 294 B1b 2-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 295 B1b 2-F H H HBr (1:1) 296 B1b 2-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 297 B1b 3-SCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 298 B1b 3-OH H H HBr (1:1) 300 B1b 3-F H H HBr (1:1) 301 B1b 3-CN H H HBr (1:1) 302 B1b 3-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 303 B1b 3-COOH H H HBr (1:1) 304 B1b 3-COOC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 305 B1b 3-COCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 306 B1b 3-Br H H HBr (1:1) 307 B1b 4-phenoxy H H HBr (1:1) 308 B1b 4-OC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 309 B1b 4-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 310 B1b 4-OCH₂-phenyl H H HBr (1:1) 312 B1b 4-F H H HBr (1:1) 313 B1b 4-cyclohexyl H H HBr (1:1) 314 B1b 4-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 315 B1b 4-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 316 B1b 4-COOH H H HBr (1:1) 317 B1b 4-COOC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 319 B1b 2-SCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 320 B1b 2-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 321 B1b 2-Br H H HBr (1:1) 322 B1b 2-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 323 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 528 B1b 2-F 3-F 4-F HBr (1:1) 529 B1b 2-Cl 4-Cl 5-Cl HBr (1:1) 530 B1b 2-OCH₃ 4-Cl 5-OCH₃ HBr (1:1) 531 B1b 2-CH₃ 5-F H HBr (1:1) 532 B1b 2-CH₃ 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 533 B1b 2-O—C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 534 B1c 3-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 535 B1b 4-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 536 B1b 3-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1)

TABLE 7

Co. Ex. no. no. R¹ R² R³ Physical data  95 B1b 4-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:2); mp. 228° C. 101 B1b 3-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1); mp. 238° C. 122 B1b 4-Br H H HBr (1:1) 147 B1b 4-OCH₃ H H 148 B1b 3-OH H H 149 B1b 4-SO₂—NH₂ H H HBr (1:1) 324 B1b 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) H H HBr (1:1) 325 B1b 3-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ HBr (1:1) 326 B1b 2-F 3-F 4-F HBr (1:1) 327 B1b 2-Cl 4-Cl 5-Cl HBr (1:1) 328 B1b 2-OCH₃ 4-Cl 5-OCH₃ HBr (1:1) 329 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 5-CH₃ HBr (1:1) 330 B1b 2-CH₃ 5-F H HBr (1:1) 331 B1b 2-CH₃ 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 333 B1b 2-F 5-F H HBr (1:1) 334 B1b 2-Cl 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 335 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 336 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 337 B1b 2-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ H HBr (1:1) 338 B1b 3-Cl 5-Cl H HBr (1:1) 339 B1b 2-Cl 3-Cl H HBr (1:1) 340 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-Cl H HBr (1:1) 341 B1b 2-CH₃ 3-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 342 B1b 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 343 B1b 3-CF₃ 5-CF₃ H HBr (1:1) 344 B1b 2-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ H HBr (1:1) 345 B1b 2-F 4-F H HBr (1:1) 346 B1b 3-F 4-F H HBr (1:1) 347 B1b 2-Cl 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 348 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 349 B1b 3-Cl 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 350 B1b 3-CF₃ 4-Cl H HBr (1:1) 351 B1b 2-Br 4-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 352 B1b 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 353 B1b 3-Cl 4-CH₃ H HBr (1:1) 354 B1b 2-Cl 4-CF₃ H HBr (1:1) 355 B1b 2-CF₃ 4-Br H HBr (1:1) 356 B1b 3-Cl 4-Br H HBr (1:1) 360 B1b 2-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 361 B1b 2-OH H H HBr (1:1) 362 B1b 2-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 363 B1b 2-F H H HBr (1:1) 364 B1b 2-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 365 B1b 2-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 366 B1b 2-OC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 367 B1b 2-SCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 368 B1b 2-CH(CH₃)₂ H H HBr (1:1) 369 B1b 2-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 370 B1b 2-Br H H HBr (1:1) 371 B1b 3-SCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 372 B1b 3-OCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 374 B1b 3-F H H HBr (1:1) 375 B1b 3-CN H H HBr (1:1) 376 B1b 3-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 377 B1b 3-CH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 378 B1b 3-COOH H H HBr (1:1) 379 B1b 3-COOC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 380 B1b 3-COCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 381 B1b 3-Br H H HBr (1:1) 382 B1b 4-OH H H HBr (1:1) 383 B1b 4-phenoxy H H HBr (1:1) 384 B1b 4-OC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 385 B1b 4-OCF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 386 B1b 4-OCH₂-phenyl H H HBr (1:1) 388 B1b 4-F H H HBr (1:1) 389 B1b 4-cyclohexyl H H HBr (1:1) 390 B1b 4-Cl H H HBr (1:1) 391 B1b 4-C₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 392 B1b 4-CF₃ H H HBr (1:1) 393 B1b 4-COOH H H HBr (1:1) 394 B1b 4-COOC₂H₅ H H HBr (1:1) 395 B1b 4-COCH₃ H H HBr (1:1) 537 B1a H H H 538 B1b 3-[SO₂—NH₂] H H HBr (1:1) 539 B1b 3-CH₂—OH H H HBr (1:1) 540 B1b 3-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ HBr (1:2) 541 B1b 4-CH₃ H H HBr (1:2) 542 B1b 2-Cl 3-Cl H 543 B1b 3-CH₃ 4-F H HBr (1:1); mp. 242– 244° C. (dec)* *= decomposition

TABLE 8

Co. Ex. no. no. R¹ R² R³ Physical data 216 B1a 4-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1)  49 B1a 3-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 246° C.  50 B1a H H H HCl (1:1); mp. 228° C.  51 B1a 3-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1); mp. 214° C.  53 B1a 4-Br H H HCl (1:1) 396 B1a 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) H H HCl (1:1) 397 B1a 2-F 3-F 4-F HCl (1:1) 398 B1a 2-Cl 4-Cl 5-Cl HCl (1:1) 399 B1a 2-OCH₃ 4-Cl 5-OCH₃ HCl (1:1) 400 B1a 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 5-CH₃ HCl (1:1) 401 B1a 2-CH₃ 5-F H HCl (1:1) 402 B1a 2-CH₃ 5-Cl H HCl(1.1) 404 B1a 2-F 5-F H HCl (1:1) 405 B1a 2-Cl 5-Cl H HCl (1:1) 406 B1a 2-Cl 5-CF₃ H HCl (1:1) 407 B1a 2-OCH₃ 5-Cl H HCl (1:1) 408 B1a 2-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ H HCl (1:1) 409 B1a 3-Cl 5-Cl H HCl (1:1) 410 B1a 2-Cl 3-Cl H HCl (1:1); mp. 202– 204° C. (dec)* 411 B1a 2-CH₃ 3-Cl H HCl (1:1) 412 B1a 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 413 B1a 3-CF₃ 5-CF₃ H HCl (1:1) 414 B1a 2-F 4-F H HCl (1:1) 415 B1a 3-F 4-F H HCl (1:1) 416 B1a 2-Cl 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 417 B1a 2-CH₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 418 B1a 3-Cl 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 419 B1a 3-CF₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:1) 420 B1a 2-Br 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 421 B1a 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 422 B1a 3-Cl 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 423 B1a 2-Cl 4-CF₃ H HCl (1:1) 424 B1a 2-CF₃ 4-Br H HCl (1:1) 425 B1a 3-Cl 4-Br H HCl (1:1) 428 B1a 2-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 429 B1a 2-OH H H HCl (1:1) 430 B1a 2-Cl H H HCl (1:1) 431 B1a 2-F H H HCl (1:1) 432 B1a 2-CH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 433 B1a 2-OC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 434 B1a 2-SCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 435 B1a 2-OCF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 436 B1a 3-SCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 438 B1a 3-F H H HCl (1:1) 439 B1a 3-CN H H HCl (1:1) 440 B1a 3-Cl H H HCl (1:1) 441 B1a 3-COOH H H HCl (1:1) 442 B1a 3-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 443 B1a 3-COCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 444 B1a 3-Br H H HCl (1:1) 445 B1a 4-OH H H HCl (1:1) 446 B1a 4-OC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 447 B1a 4-OCF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 448 B1a 4-OCH₂-phenyl H H HCl (1:1) 450 B1a 4-F H H HCl (1:1) 451 B1a 4-cyclohexyl H H HCl (1:1) 452 B1a 4-C₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 453 B1a 4-COOH H H HCl (1:1) 454 B1a 4-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 455 B1a 4-COCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 456 B1a 3-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-OCH₃ HCl (1:1) 457 B1a 2-OCH₃ 5-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 458 B1a 2-CH₃ 3-CH₃ H HCl (1:1) 459 B1a 2-OCH₃ 4-OCH₃ H HCl (1:1) 460 B1a 2-CF₃ H H HCl (1:1) 461 B1a 2-C₂H₅ H H HCl (1:1) 462 B1a 2-CH(CH₃)₂ H H HCl (1:1) 463 B1a 2-Br H H HCl (1:1) 464 B1a 4-phenoxy H H HCl (1:1) 544 B1a 4-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:1) 545 B1a 3-OH H H HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp. 186° C. *= decomposition

TABLE 9

Co. Ex. no. no Q Physical data 546 B1a 6-chloro-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1) 547 B1a 3-pyridinyl HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 548 B1a 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:2) 549 B1a 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HCl (1:1); mp. 170– 172° C. (dec)* 550 B1a 3-methylphenyl HCl (1:1) 551 B1a 2,3-dichlorophenyl HCl (1:1); mp. 164– 166° C. (dec)* 552 B1a 5-benzo[b]furanyl HCl (1:1) 553 B1a 3-(methylthio)phenyl HCl (1:1) 554 B1a 3-hydroxyphenyl HCl (1:1) 555 B1a 3-methoxyphenyl HCl (1:1) 556 B1a 3-chlorophenyl HCl (1:1) 557 B1a 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl HCl (1:1) 558 B1a 3-bromophenyl HCl (1:1) 559 B1a 4-(methylthio)phenyl HCl (1:1) 560 B1a 4-hydroyxphenyl HCl (1:1) 561 B1a 4-methoxyphenyl HCl (1:1) 562 B1a 4-chlorophenyl HCl (1:1) 563 B1a 4-methylphenyl HCl (1:1) 564 B1a 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HCl (1:1) 565 B1a 4-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl HCl (1:1) 566 B1a 4-bromophenyl 567 B1a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl 568 B1a 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3- HCl (1:1); mp 242° C. pyridinyl 569 B1a imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:3); mp 218° C. 570 B1a 4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl HCl (1:1) *= decomposition

TABLE 10

Co. Ex. no. no. X Q Physical data 126 B1c CH 2-pyridinyl HCl (1:1). 127 B1c CH 4-pyridinyl HCl (1:2) 128 B1a CH

HCl (1:1) 129 B1c CH 3-pyridinyl  3 B1c N 3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 290 B1b N 1-naphthalenyl HBr (1:1) 503 B1a CH 1-naphthalenyl HCl (1:1) 571 B1a CH 6-chloro-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1) 572 B1b N 6-chloro-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 573 B1a CH 6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl 574 B1a CH 4-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 575 B1b N 4-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 576 B1b N 6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl 577 B1a CH 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:2) 578 B1a CH 6-bromo-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1) 579 B1a CH 2,3-dihydro-5-benzofuranyl HCl (1:1); mp. 226– 228° C. (dec)* 580 B1a CH 5-bromo-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 581 B1a CH 5-chloro-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 582 B1a CH 6-methyl-2-pyridinyl HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:1); mp. >250° C. 583 B1a CH 2-methoxy-3-pyridinyl mp. 222° C. 584 B1a CH 5-(trifluoromethyl)-3- HCl (1:1); mp. >260° C. pyridinyl 585 B1a CH 5-methyl-2-pyridinyl HCl (1:1); mp. 230° C. 586 B1a CH 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3- HCl (1:1); mp. >260° C. pyridinyl 587 B1a CH 6-benzothiazolyl HCl (1:1); mp. 210– 212° C. (dec)* 588 B1a CH 6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); mp. >260° C. 589 B1a CH 4-methyl-2-pyridinyl HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 590 B1a CH 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzo- HCl (1:1); mp 220° C. dioxin-6-yl 591 B1a CH 1H-indazole-5-yl HCl (1:1) 592 B1a CH 6-(methylthio)-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1); mp 238° C. 593 B1a CH 1H-benzimidazol-5-yl HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp >260° C. 594 B1a CH 6-ethoxy-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:2) 595 B1a CH 1-methyl-1H- HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:2); benzimidazol-5-yl mp 252° C. 596 B1a CH 5-methyl-3-pyridinyl HCl (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp 212° C. 597 B1a CH

HCl (1:2); mp >260° C. *= decomposition

TABLE 11

Co. Ex. no. no. R Q Physical data 357 B1b H

HBr (1:1) 358 B1b H 1-naphthalenyl HBr (1:1) 598 B1b H 3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 599 B1b H 6-chloro-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 600 B1b H 6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl 601 B1b H 4-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 602 B1b H 5-pyrimidinyl HBr (1:2) 603 B1b H 6-bromo-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 604 B1b H 5-chloro-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 605 B1b H 2,3-dihydro-5-benzofuranyl HBr (1:1) 606 B1b H 5-bromo-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 607 B1b H 6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 608 B1b H 6-hydroy-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 609 B1b H 2-methoxy-3-pyridinyl 610 B1b H 6-benzothiazolyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp. >250° C. 611 B1b H 1H-indazol-5-yl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 612 B1b H 5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1) 613 B1b H 1H-benzimidazol-5-yl HBr (1:2); mp. >260° C. 614 B1b H 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzo- HBr (1:2); mp. >250° C. dioxin-6-yl 615 B1b H 6-ethoxy-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 616 B1b H 6-(methylthio)-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); mp >260° C. 617 B1b H 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 618 B1b H 1-methyl-1H-indazol-5-yl HBr (1:1) 619 B1b H 1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl HBr (1:2); mp 246° C. 620 B1b H 5-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 621 B1b 5-bromo 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HB (1:1) 622 B1a H

HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:2);mp >260° C. 623 B1b 6-CF₃ 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HBr (1:2); mp 156° C. 624 B1b 6-CF₃ 2,3-dichlorophenyl HBr (1:1); mp 206° C. 625 B1b 6-CF₃ 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:1); mp >260° C. 626 B1d 5-CH₃ 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HBr (1:1) 627 B1d 5-CH₃ 2,3-dichlorophenyl HBr (1:1) 628 B1b 6-[NH—C(═O)—CH₃] 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl mp 248° C. 629 B1d 6-CH₃ 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HBr (1:1) 630 B1b 6-[NH—C(═O)—CH₃] 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:1); mp >260° C. 631 B1d 6-CH₃ 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2) 632 B1d 5-CH₃ 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 633 B4a 6-NH₂ 6-methyl-3-pyridinyl HBr (1:2); H₂O (1:2); mp >260° C. 634 B1b 6-[NH—C(═O)—CH₃] 2,3-dichlorophenyl HBr (1:1); mp >260° C. 635 B4b 6-NH₂ 2,3-dichlorophenyl HBr (1:2); mp 236° C. 636 B1d 6-CH₃ 2,3-dichlorophenyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 637 B5 6-NH₂ 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:1); mp 148° C. 638 B1b 6-[C(═O)—NH₂] 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HBr (1:1); ethanolate (1:1) 639 B1b 5-[C(═O)—NH₂] 2,3-dichlorophenyl HBr (1:1); H₂O (1:2); mp >260° C.

TABLE 12

Co. Ex. no. no. Q Physical data 640 B1b phenyl 641 B1b 4-methoxyphenyl 642 B1b 3-pyridinyl 643 B1b 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl HCl (1:1)

Table 13 lists both the experimental (column heading “Exper”) and theoretical (column heading “Theor”) elemental analysis values for carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N) and chloor (Cl) for the compounds as prepared in the experimental part hereinabove.

TABLE 13 Co. C H N Cl No. Theor Exper Theor Exper Theor Exper Theor Exper 18 61.36 60.55 4.88 5.00 11.30 11.09 9.53 9.20 210 47.11 46.45 3.46 3.48 17.17 16.68 1 51.92 51.74 3.59 3.42 14.25 14.05 42 42.26 42.28 2.66 2.37 12.32 12.06 61 64.26 63.99 4.79 4.70 16.65 16.43 5 48.25 49.23 4.3 4.21 17.58 17.38 138 44.61 44.59 3.74 3.42 14.86 14.60 480 47.11 47.08 3.46 3.35 17.17 17.06 223 50.18 49.96 3.72 3.53 13.77 13.60 8.96 9.23 239 56.9 56.97 4.21 3.96 15.61 15.32 291 57.64 57.10 3.33 3.02 29.41 29.11 299 58.3 58.36 4.08 3.94 15.11 14.94 93 54.70 54.49 3.51 3.30 7.50 7.39 113 62.52 62.06 4.26 4.19 22.78 22.63 125 43.08 43.79 2.99 2.63 15.96 15.63 140 36.22 39.32 3.47 3.69 12.07 12.62 511 42.97 42.78 3.37 3.16 13.36 13.09 0 0.15 517 52.17 51.94 2.81 2.61 17.38 16.90 518 48.49 48.08 2.91 2.66 8.08 7.94 132 57.13 56.27 3.42 3.27 28.55 28.37 133 45.93 45.55 3.6 3.22 17.85 17.40 150 65.35 65.46 6.45 6.45 17.93 18.08 218 61.15 60.49 6.04 6.24 12.59 12.16 602 34.55 33.85 2.66 2.98 16.79 16.28 525 50.18 49.67 2.59 2.64 9 8.54 526 55.54 54.94 3.73 3.56 25.91 24.99 527 40.38 39.09 3.39 3.16 18.11 17.26 149 40.68 41.01 3.17 2.82 13.56 13.65 546 42.17 42.17 2.45 2.20 18.91 18.60 569 38.71 39.96 3.9 3.52 18.06 18.18 8.05 16.95 579 58.3 58.25 4.08 3.75 15.11 14.93 587 52.91 52.70 3.13 3.02 18.15 18.23 590 55.89 55.67 3.91 3.94 14.48 14.42 591 55.36 54.32 3.55 3.47 22.78 22.26 593 52.78 54.64 3.91 4.10 21.72 22.90 9.42 9.71 605 51.07 51.01 3.75 3.46 11.17 10.94 623 34.87 36.06 2.01 2.08 7.62 7.75 628 53.96 53.23 3.46 3.17 14.81 14.50 638 44 43.13 3.69 3.26 11.4 11.27 128 54.77 54.65 3.51 3.22 15.03 14.81 634 41.76 41.60 2.85 2.63 12.18 11.85 643 51.28 51.51 2.96 2.81 7.47 7.42 C. Pharmacological Example

EXAMPLE C1 In Vitro Inhibition of TNF-α Production in Human Blood

Human Whole Blood Stimulation

Peripheral blood from healthy male donors was drawn into heparinized syringes (12.5 U heparin/ml). Blood samples were three-fold diluted in RMPI 1640 medium (Life Technologies, Belgium) supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and 300 μl fractions were distributed in 24-well multidisc plates (Nunc, Roskilde, Denmark). Blood samples were preincubated (60 minutes at 37° C.) in a humidified 6% CO₂-atmosphere with 100 A₁ of drug solvent (final concentration 0.02% dimethylsulfoxide in RPMI 1640) or with 100 μl of an appropriate dose of test compound before being stimulated by the addition of 100 μl of lipopolysaccharide at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml. After 6 hours, cell-free supernatant fluids were collected by centrifugation and stored at −20° C. until tested for the presence of TNF-α.

EXAMPLE C2 In Vitro Inhibition of IL-12 Production in Human Blood

Human Whole Blood Stimulation

Peripheral blood from healthy male donors was drawn into heparinized syringes (12.5 U heparin/ml). Blood samples were three-fold diluted in RMPI 1640 medium (Life Technologies, Belgium) supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and 300 μl fractions were distributed in 24-well multidisc plates (Nunc, Roskilde, Denmark). Blood samples were preincubated (60 minutes at 37° C.) in a humidified 6% CO₂-atmosphere with 100 μl of drug solvent (final concentration 0.02% dimethylsulfoxide in RPMI 1640) or with 100 μl of an appropriate dose of test compound before being stimulated by the addition of 100 μl of lipopolysaccharide at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml. After 24 hours, cell-free supernatant fluids were collected by centrifugation and stored at −20° C. until tested for the presence of IL-12.

EXAMPLE C3 Cytokine Measurements

Cytokine protein concentrations were determined by sandwich ELISA as described in Van Wauwe et al. (1996, Inflamm Res, 45, 357–363). Murine monoclonals used as capture antibodies to human cytokines were obtained from R&D Systems (Abingdon, United Kingdom) and code named MAB210 and MAB611 for TNF-α and IL-12 respectively. Butinylated goat polyclonal antibodies used to detect human cytokines were from R&D Systems (BAF210, BAF219). Cytokine levels were calculated from standard curves using recombinant cytokines supplied by R&D Systems.

Table 14 lists the percentage inhibition of TNF-α and IL-12 production (column “% inh”) at a test dose of 1×10⁻⁶ and 1×10⁻⁷ M for the compounds of the present invention.

TABLE 14 % inhib. TNF-α % inhib. IL-12 (p40) Comp. No 1 × 10⁻⁶ M 1 × 10⁻⁷ M 1 × 10⁻⁶ M 1 × 10⁻⁷ M 9 37 39 49 53 140 46 44 56 63 74 56 48 70 67 81 51 47 65 67 82 53 51 73 68 100 43 41 53 51 101 54 53 62 65 31 55 49 66 68 39 53 59 64 71 476 58 53 75 71 45 49 48 64 65 166 48 37 62 55 410 39 43 53 58 115 58 53 75 67 119 49 49 62 62 286 50 48 60 63 573 53 45 67 61 526 45 45 66 69 577 50 49 77 71 527 37 43 61 66 549 50 47 74 71 551 44 40 71 71 579 49 50 72 75 584 53 49 75 68 587 56 56 79 75 517 61 57 74 68 643 64 59 75 72 518 38 44 62 59 466 57 49 95 86 509 46 54 64 68 

1. A method of inhibiting, suppressing, or antagonizing the production or activity of TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) or IL-12 (Interleukin 12) in a warm-blooded animal in need thereof comprising administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein Q is phenyl, or naphthyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

 with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N— with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and R²a being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; L is imidazopyridyl, optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—; and aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, and mono- or di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein L is substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, and mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; and wherein aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, and mono- or di-C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.
 3. A method of treating inflammatory disease mediated by TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) or IL-12 (Interleukin 12) in a warm-blooded animal in need thereof comprising administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein Q is phenyl, or naphthyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyk-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

 with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a)═N— with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and R² being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; L is imidazopyridyl, optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—; and aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, and mono- or di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein L is substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, and mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; and wherein aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, and mono- or di-C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflammatory disease is rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel disease, or colitis.
 6. A method of treating auto-immune diseases mediated by TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) or IL-12 (Interleukin 12) in a warm-blooded animal in need thereof comprising administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein Q is phenyl, or naphthyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylthio; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl; polyhalo-C₁₋₆alkyloxy; polyhaloC₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₄alkyl-S(═O)_(n)— or R¹HN—S(═O)_(n)—; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

 with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula —CR^(2a) ═N— with CR^(2a) attached to N of formula (a-1); and R^(2a) being hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; L is imidazopyridyl, optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C₁₋₄alkyloxy or amino or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(═O)—NH—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C(═O)—NH—, H₂N—C(═O)—NH— or mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino-C(═O)—NH—; and aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, and mono- or di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein L is substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, and mono- or di-(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxy; and wherein aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, and mono- or di-C₁₋₆alkyl)amino. 